Gov. Kasich uninjured in minor 4-vehicle accident

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. John Kasich was involved a minor vehicle accident today just outside downtown Columbus, but was uninjured, a spokesman said.

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said four vehicles were involved, but he called the incident a minor fender bender.

The first-term Republican governor’s doctor was to examine him as a precaution, Nichols said.

Two administration staff members, a JobsOhio employee and the state trooper driving the vehicle also were not hurt.

Nichols said he was not aware of any injuries from the occupants of the other vehicles, which included a charter bus.

Kasich’s sport utility vehicle was traveling north on Interstate 71 around 4:30 p.m., when traffic just north of downtown was moving slowly.

Nichols said a bus rear-ended the vehicle directly behind Kasich’s SUV, leading to a series of collisions that pushed the SUV into the vehicle in front of it. He said the accident caused minor damage to the governor’s vehicle.

Columbus police are investigating and compiling the police report, Nichols said.

A spokesman for the Columbus Police Department said he had not yet received any information regarding the accident.