Three dead identified in east Columbus wrong-way, head-on collision

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Two more people have died, making it three total, in the aftermath of a wrong-way, head-on collision that occurred in east Columbus early Monday morning.

According to an update from Columbus police the woman who was initially killed in the collision has been identified as 32-year-old Deandra Brigham. Officers arrived near the intersection of East Livingston Road and Burlington Avenue, where Brigham was pronounced dead at 3:38 a.m.

Brigham was driving her blue 2010 Nissan Altima eastbound on East Livingston Ave. when 19-year-old Samuel Beyene was traveling westbound, but also in the eastbound lanes, in a red 2007 Dodge Charger. Police said Beyene did not have his headlights on as it was approaching Burlington Ave.

The front of the two vehicles collided head-on, killing Brigham. Beyene was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 8:08 a.m. Monday morning. Joel Beyene, 19, a passenger in the Dodge, was also pronounced dead the following day at 1:26 p.m., and a third passenger remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Samuel Beyene was named as a suspect in the crash, which is still under investigation by the Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit.

Initial reports indicated the crash took place near the East Livingston Ave. intersection of South Hamilton Road. Burlington Avenue is located one block west.