Monsignor John Johnson, 77, a priest at St. Agatha Church, died Wednesday night after a car hit him at Tremont and Ridgecliff roads in Upper Arlington, according to the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. The suburb sits northwest of Columbus in Franklin County.
Upper Arlington police said the crash happened Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, while Johnson was out walking. Medics took him to a hospital in critical condition. The diocese said he was pronounced dead at Riverside Methodist Hospital just before 9 p.m. Wednesday.
According to a crash report, the driver is 17 years old. The report says the driver was turning left from Tremont Road onto Ridgecliff Road and did not see Johnson in the crosswalk, NBC4 Columbus reported. Police Sgt. Bryan McKean said the investigation is open and he could not say whether the driver will face charges.
The City of Upper Arlington said the crash involved one vehicle and one pedestrian. St. Agatha Church, at 1860 Northam Road, said Johnson guided many parishioners during his years as a priest. The diocese said priests and parishioners across its 23 counties will miss him.
Police are asking anyone who saw the crash and has not yet spoken with officers to call Upper Arlington police at 614-459-2800.
St. Agatha Church plans Johnson’s funeral for Oct. 10, and Columbus Frontline will update as more information becomes available.