One man is dead after a single-vehicle crash in north Columbus.

It happened around 2:12am Saturday near the intersection of Morse Road and Tamarack Boulevard. According to Columbus Police, Anthony Ndungu was driving a 2003 Acura TL east on Morse Road when he drove off the right side of the road and struck a pole on the southeast corner of the intersection. Ndungu had two passengers in the car at the time of the crash: Kevin Gakure, 39, and a black male known only as Jerry to Ndungu.

Police say Jerry fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders. Gakure was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

Ndungu told investigators he fell asleep at the wheel and woke up when the car struck the pole. Police say Ndungu did not show any signs of impairment. Evidence shows all passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, but Gakure still made contact with the rear of the front passenger seat. Investigators say the latch on the seatbelt Gakure was using showed signs of damage.

The crash remains under investigation. This is the 40^th traffic-related fatality in Columbus this year.