Columbus, OH — March 17, 2025, Lakayla Willis was killed in a truck accident at about 1:10 a.m. on Interstate 70 near the Interstate 270 junction.

Authorities said a 2014 Jeep Cherokee was headed west on the interstate when it hit a concrete wall on the right side of the road then veered back through the median and hit a guardrail. The Jeep flipped over in the eastbound lanes, where it was hit by a 2021 Freightliner semi-truck.

Jeep driver Lakayla Willis, 27, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

Crashes where a vehicle crosses a highway median and ends up in the path of a semi-truck raise serious concerns about roadway design, vehicle control and whether anything could have been done to prevent the collision. In this case, reports indicate that a Jeep Cherokee struck a concrete wall, veered back across the median and was then hit by an oncoming semi-truck on Interstate 70. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver error, mechanical failure road conditions or another contributing factor.

One of the first questions investigators should answer is why the Jeep lost control in the first place. Did the driver overcorrect after striking the wall, or was there another issue — such as a tire blowout or a mechanical failure — that caused the vehicle to veer out of control? Reviewing black box data, skid marks and vehicle inspections will be critical in understanding the moments leading up to the crash.

Another key factor is the highway median. Many modern interstates use cable barriers or reinforced guardrails to prevent vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. Did this section of I-70 lack adequate barriers, or did the guardrail fail to stop the Jeep from entering the eastbound lanes? If a stronger or properly positioned barrier could have prevented the vehicle from entering the path of oncoming traffic, that raises concerns about roadway safety in the area.

Speed and visibility should also be examined. Since the crash occurred at 1:10 a.m., were lighting conditions poor, making it harder for the semi-truck driver to see and react in time? Was the Jeep traveling at a speed that made it more difficult to regain control after hitting the concrete wall? Investigators should analyze road conditions, speed data and weather reports to determine whether external factors played a role.

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on the impact without investigating why the Jeep lost control and whether the median barrier was sufficient, they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong and whether improvements could prevent similar crashes in the future.