Columbus, Ohio (December 9, 2025) — A 52-year-old man, Kevin Courts, died early Tuesday morning after he was struck by a garbage truck on Corr Road near Lockbourne Road, according to Columbus police. The crash happened shortly after 4 a.m. when the driver of the approaching truck attempted to swerve away but was unable to avoid hitting Courts. The driver remained at the scene, called 911, and cooperated with responding officers. Courts was transported to Grant Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
Investigation: The Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit is working to determine the circumstances that led to this pre-dawn fatality. Investigators will examine visibility conditions at the time of the crash, including roadway lighting, sight lines, and any environmental factors that may have limited the driver’s ability to see a pedestrian standing in the roadway. They will review the truck’s onboard data, including speed, braking, and steering inputs, to assess the driver’s reactions and determine whether evasive maneuvers were executed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Detectives will also look into why Courts was in the roadway and whether he was visible to approaching traffic. Clothing color, pedestrian position, and ambient lighting can be critical in early-morning collisions. As part of a comprehensive investigation, police may analyze the garbage truck’s mechanical systems and inspect for any possible defects affecting steering, braking, or headlights. Statements from the driver, any nearby witnesses, and surveillance or doorbell cameras in the area may help reconstruct the moments leading up to impact.
Legal Considerations: Fatal pedestrian collisions raise complex and deeply human questions about duty, perception, and the split-second decision-making process. Under Ohio law, drivers are required to exercise reasonable care to avoid striking pedestrians, especially in low-visibility conditions. At the same time, pedestrians also have a legal duty to use due care when entering or standing in the roadway. Determining liability often requires careful examination of each party’s actions and the environmental conditions present at the time of the crash.
For the Courts’ family, the suddenness of this loss is devastating. Even when a driver stays at the scene and cooperates with authorities, surviving relatives may still have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim if evidence shows that the driver failed to take reasonable precautions or if additional contributing factors, such as poor lighting, roadway design, or mechanical issues, played a role. The lawsuits can help families address funeral expenses and the financial and emotional hardships left behind, though no legal process can replace the person they’ve lost.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Courts family and loved ones during this challenging time.
Source: ABC6 Columbus