Downtown freeways closed over weekend after man in snow plow struck cars and allegedly threw tools at police

Photo courtesy of Columbus Division of Police

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Around 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, a man driving a truck with a snow plow blade fixed on the front allegedly struck four different vehicles, all intentionally, while driving West on I-70.

According to police, Michael Oswalt fled in his truck, but then stopped at the I-70 overpass, resulting in a four-hour standoff and multiple Downtown freeway closures.

Oswalt refused to get out of his vehicle and was allegedly throwing tools from his truck at police officers, hitting an officer in the head. He was also allegedly throwing items at cars from over the overpass, police said.

Man in custody after Columbus highway standoff, officer struck in face photo 5 — Photo courtesy of the Columbus Division of Police

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At one point, Oswalt threatened to jump off the ramp from 70 to 71. Police negotiators treated the situation as a mental health crisis, and around 1:45 Oswalt was taken into custody.

He faces charges of fourth-degree felony assault as well as fleeing the scene of a crash, and possibly other traffic violations.

All of the victims have been treated and are expected to be okay.

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