Two Pataskala residents killed in crash outside Mount Carmel East hospital

Two Pataskala residents were killed in a three-car crash outside Mount Carmel East hospital Wednesday evening on the city's Far East Side.

Columbus police said the crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday on East Broad Street near the service road for Mount Carmel East.

Police said a GMC truck driven by 57-year-old Keith Finnerty, of Pataskala, was going east on East Broad Street approaching the light at the hospital entrance when the truck collided with a Kia Forte.

The Forte, driven by 20-year-old Hridesh Dhakal, of Pataskala, was heading west on East Broad Street and was turning into the hospital at the time of the crash. The Forte then struck a Lexus RX that was stopped at the light.

Dhakal was taken to Mount Carmel East in critical condition. Dhakal's passengers, 28-year-old Ronit Newpaney and 56-year-old Gopi Newpaney, both of Pataskala, were also taken to Mount Carmel East.

Both Newpaneys were pronounced dead at the hospital.

Finnerty was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The driver of the Lexus, 52-year-old Beata Stenkomicz, of New Albany, was not injured in the crash.

Traffic in the area was impacted for several hours as crews investigated the crash and removed the vehicles from the area.

The crash remains under investigation.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner