Sheriff Dallas Baldwin states that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash which occurred yesterday at approximately 8:01 PM on US40 (W. Broad St.) west of Georgesville Rd, located in Franklin Township. A 2013 white Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was traveling westbound on US40 at Georgesville Road. According to witnesses the motorcycle was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed. A 2008 silver Chevrolet Malibu was pulling out of the parking lot of 4100 W. Broad Street to go westbound on US40. As the Chevrolet was pulling onto the street, the Kawasaki motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as Mohammed Abdi Ways, age 30 of Columbus, Ohio. The driver of the Kawasaki was identified as Brandon Paul Knudsen, age 20 of Grove City, Ohio. Brandon Knudsen was pronounced deceased at Grant Medical Center.
It is unknown at this time whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in this crash. The driver of the Kawasaki was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. This incident remains under investigation.