NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Columbus, OH, July 25, 2026 — A 21-year-old Ohio State University student with aspirations of becoming a physician and researching neurodegenerative diseases was killed Wednesday after an allegedly impaired driver ran a red light and struck three pedestrians near campus, authorities said.
Sarosh Sheth, a neuroscience major at The Ohio State University, died after the crash, which occurred around 2:42 p.m. at the intersection of North High Street and East Seventh Avenue in the Weinland Park neighborhood, just north of the university’s main campus.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, a Ford Mustang traveling eastbound on East Seventh Avenue at a high rate of speed allegedly ran a red light before striking pedestrians who were crossing the street. The vehicle then continued into a parked car in a nearby Kroger parking lot before coming to a stop.
Sheth and two other victims were transported to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Sheth was pronounced dead at approximately 3:15 p.m.
One of the other pedestrians remains hospitalized in critical condition, while the occupant of the parked vehicle was reported to be in stable condition.
Police said the Mustang’s driver remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Authorities have filed a charge of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), Ohio’s equivalent of driving under the influence, against the driver. Investigators said alcohol and/or narcotics are believed to have contributed to the crash, although toxicology testing is pending. Additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
The driver’s identity has not yet been released.
Sheth, who was from Warren, Ohio, was remembered as an exceptional student whose passion for neuroscience was driven by a desire to better understand and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Before enrolling at Ohio State, he graduated from John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Warren in 2023, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He received the prestigious Ohio High School Athletic Association/Northeast District Athletic Board Scholar Athlete Scholarship, which recognizes students for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service.
The fatal crash has deeply affected the Ohio State community, with classmates and faculty mourning the loss of a promising young man whose future was dedicated to improving the lives of others through medicine.
North High Street was closed for several hours Wednesday afternoon as crash investigators documented the scene and reconstructed the collision.
Police have not yet announced whether the driver will face additional charges, including vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide. The investigation remains ongoing.
