Tragic Christmas Eve Death Prompts Push for Traffic Improvements on Columbus’ West Side
A tragic crash on Christmas Eve has left a Columbus family grieving and an entire west side community demanding urgent change to a roadway many say has been dangerous for years.
Sherry Bauman was killed on December 24 near the intersection of Roberts Road and Windflower Road, close to Hilliard. What should have been a peaceful holiday turned into heartbreak, as Bauman’s family says the loss was not only devastating—but preventable.
Sherry’s daughter, Jamie Bauman-Moran, said the intersection has long struggled to handle the growing volume of traffic in the area. She has lived near Roberts Road her entire life and has watched the neighborhood transform, with new apartment complexes and increased development bringing heavier traffic without corresponding safety improvements.
“How many bad things have to happen before they understand that the traffic here is more than it can handle?” Bauman-Moran asked, her words echoing the frustration felt by many residents.
Her sister, Danielle Bauman, explained that their mother had been heading out to pick up a prescription when the crash occurred. Sherry attempted to make a left turn onto Roberts Road—a maneuver residents say is especially hazardous.
“It is just so incredibly dangerous going left on Roberts Road, especially when we have people going ten miles over the speed limit,” Danielle said. Speeding, limited visibility, and the lack of traffic controls have turned everyday trips into high-risk decisions for drivers.
The tragedy has become a turning point for neighbors like Laurelin Baurle, who said the crash pushed her to finally act. Although she didn’t know the Bauman family well, she described the intersection as a daily source of anxiety. In response, Baurle started a petition urging the city to conduct a formal traffic study. The petition has already gathered nearly 600 signatures, reflecting widespread concern.
“Every day you pull out of here and think, ‘This intersection is bad. We need to do something,’” Baurle said. “But it seems like it takes an actual tragedy for everyone to rally and try to make a change.”
Following public pressure, a spokesperson for the Columbus Division of Traffic Management confirmed that the intersection will be studied. Officials say the evaluation will include traffic volumes, sight distance, roadway geometry, crash history, and the feasibility of installing a traffic signal or other safety measures.
For residents, those steps cannot come soon enough. Baurle and others say even modest infrastructure changes—such as a flashing yellow light or a full red-and-green traffic signal—could significantly improve safety by forcing drivers to slow down and stay alert.
Sherry Bauman’s death has left a family mourning during what should have been a season of joy. Now, her loved ones and neighbors hope that her loss will not be in vain, and that meaningful action will finally be taken to prevent another family from experiencing the same devastating pain.