Daughter searching for answers after father killed on motorcycle in South Linden hit-and-run
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – In 2024, The Ohio State Highway Patrol recorded more than 200 motorcycle crash fatalities in 2024. One of them was the fatal crash that killed 61-year-old Giancarol Del Vita.
It's been almost a year since his daughters, Claire and Audrey, have been without their dad.
Claire Del Vita shared her story as she works to navigate this loss. She graduated college in the months before the crash and today she's still searching for answers and pleading with others to watch out for motorcycles on the road.
"I didn't know how loved he was until after he died, and I wish he could have known how loved he was," she said.
Giancarlo Del Vita was an Italian immigrant working in Columbus as an architect, and one of the things he loved the most was riding his motorcycle.
"My dad loved his bike," said Claire "He had a limited edition V7 racer by Moto Guzzi."
It was a hit and run that took his life on July 18, 2024, when Columbus police say the driver of a Honda Fit failed to yield killing Giancarlo at the intersection of Cleveland and Chittenden avenues in South Linden. Giancarlo was wearing his helmet.
Several witnesses called 911 following the crash with some saying they didn't see the car that hit him on the scene. The police report states the driver got out of her car, then got back in and left.
"Video footage caught her getting out of the car, seeing my dad unconscious and getting back in and driving away," said Claire.
Eventually, police were able to track the driver down. The report said the 64-year-old woman driving the Honda did not have a drivers license or insurance at the time of the crash. As of today, nearly 11 months later, the woman has not been charged.
"I just want to know that my dad is going to get justice," said Claire.
As Claire waits for the legal process to play out, she hopes this can now serve as a reminder for other drivers.
"Always look out for motorcycles," she said. "I think that goes without saying they have no protection outside of them, and yes, they choose to ride those bikes. But I mean, like for my dad, that's their therapy. They love that."
Though this crash took the life of just one person, the ripple of Giancarlo's death has changed the lives of all who loved him forever.
"Tell the people you love, you love them," said Claire. "I mean, the last time I saw him was three days before the accident. He had come up to Cleveland and I got to hug him one last time and tell him see you soon."
NBC4 reached out to Columbus Police and asked about the status of any charges against the driver of the Honda — they said, "A recommendation for felony hit-and-run has been made to the prosecutor's office, which will be sent for direct indictment to the grand jury."
The Franklin County Prosecutors' Office said there are no charges yet because the crash is still under investigation by their office.