WESTERVILLE, Ohio — An Ohio woman has been sent to prison after a minor fender-bender outside a Kroger escalated into a deadly confrontation that left a 31-year-old delivery driver trapped beneath her vehicle and dragged hundreds of feet.
Danielle Henry, 35, of Columbus, was sentenced Aug. 27 in connection with the October 2025 death of Ibrahim Diakite.
The incident began Oct. 22 in the parking lot of a Kroger at 55 W. Schrock Road in Westerville. Police said Henry and Diakite were involved in a minor collision, but Henry drove away rather than remaining at the scene.
Diakite followed her for nearly a mile before the vehicles reached West Schrock and Cooper roads. He stopped his vehicle in front of Henry’s, got out and attempted to prevent her from leaving, eventually climbing onto the hood of her vehicle.
Henry pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and received an indefinite sentence of 3 years to 4 ½years, along with a permanent driver’s license revocation.
- The encounter began with a minor collision in a Kroger parking lot.
- Police said Henry accelerated to about 45 mph with Diakite on the hood.
- Diakite was thrown off and dragged hundreds of feet beneath the vehicle.
According to investigators, Henry jerked the vehicle in an attempt to dislodge Diakite before accelerating. He was thrown onto the roadway and became trapped underneath the vehicle.
Police said Henry continued driving with Diakite underneath for at least 300 feet. He was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries.
Authorities said Henry was driving a stolen vehicle, did not have a valid driver’s license and had outstanding warrants at the time. Reports also indicated the initial incident followed an alleged shoplifting at Kroger.
Henry escaped after Diakite was struck and was arrested three days later following a search involving Westerville and Columbus police.
The fatal crash left Diakite’s family without a man they described as a beloved brother and best friend. Diakite, whose family came to Columbus from West Africa, was reportedly working as a DoorDash delivery driver.
Sources: Franklin County Courts (official court information)
