Tuesday's tragic collision happened at Alkire and Norton roads
COLUMBUS, OH, (January 01, 2025) - Authorities responded to a multi-car crash on New Year's Day just before 1 a.m. at the intersection of Alkire and Norton roads.
Keith Joellen Klatt tragically lost their lives on Wednesday in a collision with an alleged impaired driver in Columbus.
Columbus police found a Hyundai Elantra stopped and disabled in the middle of the intersection, having been involved in a non-injury crash.
Keith Klatt, age 56, and Joellen Klatt, age 53, both of Columbus, were standing beside the Hyundai exchanging information with another driver when a Dodge Dakota pickup truck approached from the west. The truck hit the Hyundai and struck the couple.
Keith was pronounced dead at the scene at 1 a.m., while Joellen was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m.
A 34-year-old man from Columbus was arrested for operating a vehicle while impaired.
The investigation is ongoing.
OWI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Despite crackdowns throughout this country, impaired drivers remain a threat to innocent, law-abiding victims.
The consumption of alcohol can diminish the ability to operate a motor vehicle. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, each year about 300,000 people are injured in the U.S. by drunken drivers.
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case such as blood alcohol content levels.
Candice Bond, an experienced OWI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party, said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a driver who takes the wheel under the influence is held accountable for their actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of the victims may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond.
“We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected."
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).