Off-duty Hammond Police Officer Alonso Jose Lopez faces two felony charges in the death of Thomas Hunt Jr., a 73-year-old Gary resident killed in an Oct. 16 crash on Columbia Avenue in Hammond.
Lopez, 34, was charged Thursday, Oct. 22, with causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony, and reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, according to court documents filed in Lake Superior Court, as first reported by Region News Source.
Lopez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Indiana State Police, Lopez was driving a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Columbia Avenue near 165th Street shortly before 9 p.m. when his truck collided with a Toyota Highlander entering the roadway from a nearby parking lot. The impact caused what investigators called catastrophic damage to the driver's side of the Toyota.
Hunt sustained fatal injuries. Lopez and the driver of a third vehicle were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A witness standing in a McDonald's parking lot told investigators he saw Lopez's pickup traveling an estimated 60 to 70 mph through the intersection, according to the affidavit. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. A second witness estimated the truck was moving at roughly twice the limit and told investigators he was approximately 99% certain the traffic signal was red.
Surveillance footage from the intersection showed a different sequence, according to the affidavit. The signal was green as Lopez's truck approached and changed to yellow as it passed through. Both witnesses and the footage agreed on the truck's high speed.
Lopez allegedly admitted to drinking about four beers and told investigators he stopped drinking between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. He was on his way to work for a 9 p.m. shift, according to the affidavit.
A preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.118%, above Indiana's legal limit of 0.08%, court documents state. Troopers at the hospital reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol and described Lopez as having red, watery eyes and slurred speech.
Investigators also obtained a blood sample at the hospital, which was sent to the Indiana Department of Toxicology for testing. The affidavit does not include results from that test.
Lopez denied running a red light during questioning. He told investigators Hunt's vehicle pulled out in front of him and that he tried to brake but could not avoid the collision, according to the affidavit. His truck then spun and struck a third vehicle.
Indiana State Police handled the investigation at the Hammond Police Department's request because one of its officers was involved. ABC 7 Chicago reported Lopez has been placed on administrative leave. The terms of that leave have not been made public.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter approved the charges.
Hunt's loved ones described him as a loving father and grandfather who spent his life looking out for others, WGN reported. Oct. 19 would have been his 74th birthday.
