The quiet hum of overnight highway work turned into heartbreak in Columbus when 25-year-old construction worker Jordan Thomas was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash along Interstate 70. Now, a $100,000 reward is on the table as police search for the driver who fled the scene, leaving behind a grieving family and stunned coworkers.
Thomas was working in an active construction zone early in the morning on Feb. 28 near the Interstate 70 westbound lanes close to the State Route 315 interchange, just outside downtown Columbus. Crews were busy on a project tied to the Ohio Department of Transportation when a car suddenly drove into the work area.
Authorities say the vehicle, described as an early-2000s maroon Toyota sedan, swerved inside the construction zone. The car slammed into a generator and then struck Thomas. The impact was devastating. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the young worker was pronounced dead there shortly afterward.
The driver did not stop.
Police say the vehicle sped away into the darkness, leaving investigators scrambling for answers. Detectives with the Columbus Division of Police have since been working to identify the driver and track down the car involved in the crash.
Thomas worked for Kokosing Construction, a company deeply shaken by the loss. In a statement, the company described him as a beloved friend and valued team member whose death has left a heavy mark on everyone who knew him. To help bring answers, the company partnered with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers to offer a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the driver responsible.
For Thomas’ family, the loss is almost impossible to grasp. His mother, Christina Greenwood, described her son as someone who carried a bright and welcoming energy wherever he went. She said he had a natural way of making people feel comfortable the moment he walked into a room.
Thomas had spent the past three years working in construction, building a career and forming close bonds with his crew. His stepfather, who also works in construction, shared that the trade had become something they both connected over. The two often talked about bridge work and the long hours that come with the job.
Officials say the tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by people who work along highways. Road crews often operate just feet away from fast-moving traffic, relying on drivers to slow down and stay alert as they pass through work zones.
As investigators continue their search for the driver, Thomas’ family hopes someone will step forward with information. For them, justice means ensuring the young man they lost is never forgotten and that the person responsible is held accountable.
