INTOXICATED DRIVER WHO KILLED MOTORCYCLIST IDENTIFIED

UPDATE:

A little after 10 pm Sunday, the East Montgomery County Fire Department was dispatched to a reported motorcycle crash on FM 1485 East in New Caney. The caller stated the rider was ejected from the motorcycle and thrown over the guardrail into the creek below. East Montgomery County Fire arrived and found the driver not responsive down in a creek bed some ten feet down. Using a stokes basket they were able to get him to the roadway but he was determined to be deceased. According to DPS, a GMC pickup was traveling westbound on FM 1485 East near Sullivan Road. As the driver came out of the curve he drove into the eastbound lane hitting the motorcycle head-on. The impact ejected the driver and continued pushing the Harley Davidson motorcycle across the bridge. The truck came to rest in the ditch on the west side of the bridge. It had front and rear damage. After hitting it part of the bike broke loose and struck the rear of the truck. The motorcycle came to rest in multiple pieces for over 100 yards.  The driver of the pickup, identified as Regulo Lopez, 36, of Houston, was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid involving death. His brother, identified as Crispin Lopez, 31, of Houston, was also arrested for failure to stop and render aid involving death.  This due to Crispin Lopez, who was following behind leaving the scene with his brother, Regulo, but returning as law enforcement arrived. Montgomery County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Jason Dunn performed the inquest and ordered Rios Funeral Directors to transport the 37-year-old victim to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for autopsy. DPS was assisted by Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Roman Forest Police, and the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office Vehicular Crimes Unit.