Off-duty Hammond officer involved in fatal crash, officials say
An off-duty Hammond, Indiana, police officer was involved in a crash that killed another driver last week, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Officials said alcohol may have played a role in the crash.
Indiana State Police said at 9:55 p.m. Friday, a black Chevrolet Silverado was headed north on Columbia Avenue in Hammond at a high speed. The Silverado crossed 165th Avenue and hit a 2021 Toyota Highlander whose driver was trying to get onto Columbia Avenue from a nearby business parking lot, state police said.
The impact of the crash caused "catastrophic" damage to the Toyota, state police said.
The Chevy rotated into the southbound lanes of Columbia Avenue after the crash, and was hit by a gray 2010 Ford sport-utility vehicle, state police said. The Toyota crashed into a fence west of Columbia Avenue, and its driver died.
The drivers of the Chevy and the Ford were taken to a hospital for treatment and later released.
The driver of the Chevy was identified by state police as Hammond police Officer Alonso J. Lopez, 34. He was off duty at the time and was taken into police custody at the hospital after submitting voluntarily to a blood draw, state police said.
Lopez was taken to the Lake County, Indiana, Jail, but has since been released pending further investigation by the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and results of the blood analysis, state police said.
Hammond police confirmed that the officer involved in the crash has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome.
"HPD extends its deepest condolences to the deceased driver's family and loved ones, as well as everyone affected by this tragedy," the department said.
The Hammond Police Department said at the direction of the Chief of Police, Indiana State Police "assume full responsibility for an independent and impartial investigation."
The case will be turned over to the Lake County, Indiana, Prosecutor's office for possible charges.
The identity of the Toyota driver who died has not been released.
