James Lawson critically injured after wrong-way crash on Interstate 71 in Columbus, Ohio

The northbound lanes of Interstate 71 have reopened at Interstate 670 after a crash involving a wrong-way driver Friday morning. According to Columbus police, officers replied to a report of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Interstate 71 northbound from Polaris Parkway at about 1 a.m. Friday. The caller, who was on the correct side of the freeway, paralleled the wrong-way vehicle and remained in contact with the 911 operator while police cruisers were dispatched to the area. The wrong-way driver continued for about seven miles until reaching Cooke Road. At about 1:08 a.m., the wrong-way vehicle struck a northbound vehicle and continued southbound about half a mile until colliding with a UPS semi nearly head-on. The semi jack-knifed and traveled off the right side of the freeway, coming to rest in a ditch next to the sound barrier wall. The suspect vehicle stopped near the inside wall. The wrong-way driver, James Lawson, of New Albany, was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition. No other injuries were reported. Police said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. The northbound lanes reopened at about 6:15 a.m.