James Brusenhan Obituary, Death – Columbus police are continuing their search for suspects involved in a double hit-and-run that claimed the life of a man five months ago, despite having witness accounts and a description of one of the vehicles. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers reports that new leads have been scarce in the case, which involves the death of 66-year-old James Brusenhan, who was struck by two separate vehicles on the far east side of the city.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, April 19, on East Broad Street. According to police, Brusenhan was attempting to cross the street near Richmond Woods Drive but was outside of a marked crosswalk when the first vehicle, whose make and model are unknown, hit him in the westbound lane. The impact caused Brusenhan to fall, landing in the center turn lane.
A witness reported that after the initial collision, Brusenhan tried to crawl southward into the eastbound lane of East Broad Street. Tragically, at that moment, he was hit again by a second vehicle, identified as a Toyota Rav4, which struck him with the driver’s side front. The Toyota is believed to be a 2016-2018 model.
Both vehicles involved in the incident fled the scene, leaving Brusenhan critically injured. Emergency responders arrived shortly after, but he was pronounced dead at 1:06 a.m. Authorities have been actively investigating the case but have yet to identify either driver.
In an effort to solve the case, Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of those responsible. People with information about the incident are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.stopcrime.org. Tips can also be directed to the Columbus Police Department’s Accident Investigation Unit at (614) 645-4767.
Despite witness statements and a partial description of the second vehicle, investigators are struggling to uncover new evidence. The hit-and-run has raised concerns in the community about pedestrian safety and the accountability of drivers who leave the scene of an accident. Authorities hope that by offering a reward and continuing to publicize the case, someone with critical information will come forward to assist in the investigation.
This case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in hit-and-run incidents, where the lack of immediate identification of the vehicles involved can make solving the crime more difficult. With one of the vehicles still unidentified and the drivers evading capture, the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are urging anyone who may have seen the vehicles or knows more about the incident to share any details, no matter how small, in hopes of providing a breakthrough.
As the months have passed, Brusenhan’s family and the community continue to seek justice for his death. Police are emphasizing the importance of the public’s assistance, as even minor tips could lead to a significant development in the case. The tragic circumstances of Brusenhan’s death have also sparked a conversation about pedestrian safety, particularly in areas without crosswalks, and the responsibility of drivers to remain at the scene of accidents.
While authorities continue their efforts to locate the suspects, they acknowledge the difficulty of tracking down drivers involved in hit-and-run incidents without more detailed information or surveillance footage. Still, they remain hopeful that someone will come forward with new information that could help bring the responsible parties to justice.
In the meantime, Crime Stoppers is reinforcing the anonymity of tips, ensuring that individuals can provide information without fear of reprisal. The reward offer remains in place, providing further incentive for anyone with knowledge of the case to step forward. As the investigation moves forward, the hope is that new leads will emerge, and Brusenhan’s family can find closure.