HAMMOND, Ind. — A crash involving an off-duty Hammond Police officer on Friday, Oct. 16, resulted in one fatality and two injuries.
According to Indiana State Police (ISP), the incident occurred at 8:55 p.m. when 34-year-old Alonso Lopez was driving a black 2024 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Columbia Avenue. Witnesses reported that Lopez was speeding and failed to stop at 165th Avenue, colliding with a Toyota Highlander, which suffered catastrophic damage on the driver's side.
The driver of the Highlander was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities stated the Highlander had been attempting to enter Columbia Avenue from a nearby parking lot before crashing into a fence. Following the initial collision, Lopez's vehicle crossed into southbound lanes, striking a Ford SUV.
Lopez and the driver of the Ford were transported to the hospital for minor injuries and later released. Lopez voluntarily provided a blood sample. He was subsequently taken to the Lake County Jail, where he was held on a 48-hour probable cause hold, but was later released pending further investigation.
ISP's Crash Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation. The case will be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office for potential felony charges after the investigation's conclusion and analysis of the blood test results.
Identification of the deceased driver will be released by the Lake County Coroner after family notification.