A Columbus couple, described as being completely devoted to each other, died in a one-vehicle accident on 25th Street near Sandcrest Boulevard on the city’s northeast side.
Jesse A. Tays Sr., 52, the driver, and his wife, Eunice L. Tays, 53, a front-seat passenger, were traveling eastbound on 25th Street when their 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan left the roadway at 11:24 p.m. Sunday for an unknown reason and struck a large tree, Columbus police said.
The vehicle crossed all lanes of travel on 25th Street and struck the tree on the north side of the street, said Sgt. Alyson M. Rech, Columbus Police Department spokeswoman.
The couple was unresponsive when officers arrived and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s office, Rech said.
Jesse and Eunice Tays had gone to church at the Revival Tabernacle Church in Clifford on Sunday night, said friend Chris Rutan of Columbus, who also attends the church.
After the service, the Tayses drove to Columbus and met up with about 25 other churchgoers at the McDonald’s on National Road, where the couple worked for the past five years, he said. Church members meet there each Sunday night after services, he said.
Sometime after 9:30 p.m., the Tayses left the restaurant and went to take care of Eunice Tays’ mother, Rutan said. After that family visit, the couple headed home, Rutan said. Church officials were notified at 3:30 a.m. Monday about the accident and church members were notified at 5:30 a.m., he said.
Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said Jesse Tays died from blunt force trauma to his neck and upper chest and Eunice Tays died from blunt force to her lower chest and abdomen. The couple was not wearing seat belts when the accident occurred, he said.
A family member told Nolting that Jesse Tays had told his family that he was extremely tired before the couple left for home Sunday night.
The coroner’s office is seeking toxicology reports on the victims, which will be completed in two to three weeks, he said.
Rutan said the couple was devoted to each other and to church activities and supporting church missions.
“They were always together,” Rutan said. “They were devoted to anything they could do — whether it was a church dinner or an activity, Jesse and his family were always there.”
Funeral arrangements for the couple are pending with Barkes, Weaver and Glick Funeral Home, 1029 Washington St.
Rutan said church members also are planning services in memory of the couple.
