Executive Summary
- Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ faces disciplinary charges over his handling of a fatal 2023 crash investigation.
- An independent report labeled the internal review “performative” and noted a disregard for established facts.
- The firefighter involved pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter, yet the internal review initially found no fault.
- Taxpayer costs related to the incident, including settlements and investigations, have exceeded $2.2 million.
Columbus Division of Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ is facing disciplinary charges following an independent investigation that criticized his handling of an internal review regarding a fatal July 2023 collision involving a fire engine. Kate Pishotti, the director of the Columbus Department of Public Safety, announced on December 8 that Happ would face administrative proceedings in connection with the incident, which resulted in the death of a motorist.
The disciplinary action stems from a crash that occurred in July 2023 involving Engine 5, driven by firefighter Tyler Conners. According to the report, Conners was attempting to cross multiple lanes of Interstate 270 to use an emergency turnaround when he collided with a vehicle driven by Timothy Wiggins, who was killed in the accident. Conners pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in 2024 and received a sentence of two years of probation.
Despite the criminal conviction and a Gahanna Police investigation finding the firefighter at fault, an internal review by the Columbus Division of Fire initially found no policy violations. “This crash claimed a man’s life and changed a family forever,” Pishotti stated in an email regarding the charges. She noted that despite the guilty finding in criminal court, the division’s review resulted in no discipline or policy changes.
An independent investigation conducted by the law firm Barnes and Thornburg LLP highlighted significant procedural failures within the division’s handling of the case. The report revealed that members of the Fleet Accident Review Committee (FARC) were “unfamiliar” with their duties and unaware that Conners had been cited or found guilty of manslaughter at the time of their review. Investigators noted that committee members expressed hesitation to hold Conners accountable due to his probationary status and a desire not to harm his career.
The independent report was particularly critical of Chief Happ’s role in the subsequent Chief’s Hearing. According to the investigation, Happ decided not to discipline Conners before receiving the necessary investigatory documents. The report described the hearing as “entirely performative,” stating that Happ intended to find Conners “not guilty” of policy violations regardless of the facts. The inquiry concluded that the process was used to nullify violations based on “subjective feelings” rather than written policies. To date, the incident has cost taxpayers more than $2.2 million, including a $940,000 settlement with the Wiggins family.
Administrative Integrity and Oversight
The charges against Chief Happ underscore significant concerns regarding administrative oversight and the integrity of internal policing mechanisms within public safety agencies. The stark contrast between the criminal judicial outcome and the internal departmental findings highlights a potential systemic failure in adhering to objective standards of accountability. As the Department of Public Safety moves forward with hearings, the focus remains on ensuring that internal reviews align with legal realities and public expectations of transparency. It is important to note that regarding the pending administrative charges, Chief Happ is entitled to a fair hearing to address the allegations.
