Is spike in fatal wrecks, homicides connected?

As Columbus struggles in the throes of a deadly summer, an uptick in another kind of carnage on the streets raises the question of cause and effect.

In a year that might end as the worst on record for homicides, fatal traffic crashes in the city this year have jumped more than 25% over the same period last year. From Jan. 1 through Tuesday, there have been 41 fatal crashes in Columbus this year, resulting in 43 deaths.

And between June 1 and Tuesday, that increase rockets to about 75% higher than the same period in 2019.

Sgt. Brooke Wilson, supervisor of the Columbus police Accident Investigation Unit, is wondering why.

“Seventy-three percent is hugely significant,” he said.

I know Wilson from my years on the police beat. Last week, he asked me:

That did not put Columbus in a good position to increase outdoor capacity at restaurants, he said.

“We cannot creditably recommend to our community that they limit activities as much as possible (the policy recommendation for Level 3 counties), while simultaneously subverting that messaging,” he said.

Dublin shut down Longshore Street so restaurants in Bridge Park could expand outside.

In Hilliard, the city on June 3 closed Center Street in Old Hilliard for outdoor seating near Otie’s Tavern & Grill and the Crooked Can Brewing Co.

“In general it’s been incredibly wellreceived,” city spokesman David Ball said. He said there have been some complaints about people not wearing masks and distancing, however.

John Barker, the president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association, said expanding outdoor seating helps keep people employed.

“Cincinnati and Cleveland are doing it. Dayton is doing it. Youngstown,” he said.

He is hoping Columbus restaurants will be allowed to expand outdoor seating to boost business through October.

“There’s so much pressure on these operators now. They’re just hemorrhaging,” he said. mferench@dispatch.com @Markferenchik