1 critical after 'major' crash on Columbia Pkwy

Several people were injured -- one critically and two seriously -- after a crash involving at least four motorcycles closed a mile-and-a-half stretch of Columbia Parkway Sunday afternoon.

Excessive speed was a factor in the crash, which sent four people to the hospital, according to a news release from the Cincinnati Police Department.

Officials in the department's traffic unit did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday morning.

Authorities closed Columbia Parkway in both directions between Torrence Parkway and Delta Avenue for about five hours while they investigated.

"One guy with us swiped the side of the red car over there when he was coming around the turn and just lost control," said Tyler Middleton, 22, of Cleves. "I was able to maneuver through everything and pull my bike over.

"When I looked behind me -- parts, bodies flying everywhere."

Police said motorcyclist Thomas Faehr, 23, suffered the most serious injuries. He was transported to the hospital and listed in critical condition Sunday night, according to the release

"One guy got hit pretty bad," Middleton said. "He hit that white car head on. I got lucky."

Middleton said the motorcycles were traveling eastbound on Columbia Parkway when the crash happened. One vehicle traveling the opposite direction also was involved when two motorcycles went left of center and struck a retaining wall, according to the release.

Motorcyclists Jeffrey Calla, 31, and Dylan Baine, 22, were transported to the hospital and listed in serious condition Sunday night.

Three motorcycles covered westbound lanes of Columbia Parkway for several hours along with debris from multiple other vehicles involved. A fourth motorcycle and a red sedan stopped in the eastbound lanes of traffic.

An officer described the crash as "major" and "pretty scattered" and said it occurred in the 2900 block of Columbia Parkway.

Officials said six drivers were involved.