Riverside Police Arrest 62-Year-Old Man in Connection with Fatal Traffic Collision
Chase Ends in Crash, Claiming the Life of 49-Year-Old Woman
On October 24, a high-speed chase came to a tragic end in the La Sierra neighborhood of Riverside, leaving one person dead and multiple others injured. The pursuit began when 62-year-old Ezekial Avendano Lopez allegedly rammed an unmarked police vehicle while attempting to escape from detectives, leading to a multi-vehicle collision.
The Incident
According to the Riverside Police Department, Lopez was under investigation by Fontana detectives when he intentionally rammed the unmarked police vehicle and drove off. The detectives lost track of him, but a search eventually led to the discovery of his white Nissan Maxima involved in a multi-vehicle collision at the intersection of Riverwalk Parkway and Collett Avenue.
Consequences of the Crash
The collision resulted in the death of a 49-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released. Lopez, the 62-year-old driver, sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Three individuals from other vehicles involved in the crash suffered only minor injuries.
Lopez’s Arrest and Charges
After being medically cleared, Lopez was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon against the Fontana detective. He is being held on $1 million bail, and additional charges related to the cause of the fatal traffic collision are pending.
Investigation Ongoing
The Riverside Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact Traffic Detective Jeff Derouin at 951-826-8722 or JDerouin@RiversideCA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was Ezekial Avendano Lopez under investigation for prior to the incident?
A: The Riverside Police Department has not disclosed the circumstances surrounding Lopez’s initial investigation by Fontana detectives.
Q: What was the nature of the multi-vehicle collision that resulted in the fatal crash?
A: The number of vehicles involved in the crash was not disclosed by the police. The collision occurred at the intersection of Riverwalk Parkway and Collett Avenue in the La Sierra neighborhood.
Q: What are the charges against Ezekial Avendano Lopez?
A: Lopez is being held on $1 million bail for assault with a deadly weapon against the Fontana detective. Additional charges related to the cause of the fatal traffic collision are pending.
