HAMMOND — An off-duty Hammond Police officer has been charged with two felonies in connection with an October 16th crash that killed another driver, according to court documents filed Thursday in Lake Superior Court.

Alonso Jose Lopez, 34, faces charges of Causing Death When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, a Level 4 felony, and Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 felony, in the death of Thomas Hunt Jr., 73, of Gary.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Indiana State Police, Lopez was driving a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Columbia Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. when he collided with a Toyota Highlander entering the roadway from a nearby parking lot near 165th Street.

The impact caused catastrophic damage to the driver’s side of the Toyota. Hunt sustained fatal injuries, while Lopez and the driver of a third vehicle involved in the crash were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to court documents, Lopez provided a preliminary breath sample that registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.118%, above Indiana’s legal driving limit of 0.08%.

Investigators subsequently obtained a consensual blood sample at the hospital, which was secured for testing by the Indiana State Department of Toxicology. The affidavit does not provide the results of that blood test.

Troopers reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol while speaking with Lopez at the hospital. The trooper also described Lopez as having red, watery, glossy eyes and noted that his speech was slurred or muffled at times.

During questioning, Lopez allegedly admitted consuming approximately four beers and told investigators he had stopped drinking sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Lopez also confirmed he was on his way to work when the crash occurred. According to the affidavit, his shift was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

One witness told investigators he was outside his vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot when he observed Lopez’s pickup traveling northbound at an estimated 60 to 70 mph through the intersection of Columbia Avenue and 165th Street. The posted speed limit in the area is 35 mph.

The witness initially reported that the pickup disregarded a red traffic signal, although he acknowledged he did not actually witness the collision after the stoplight.

A second witness told investigators the pickup appeared to be traveling approximately twice the posted speed limit. That witness stated he was approximately 99% certain the traffic signal was red when the pickup passed through the intersection.

Troopers later reviewed intersection surveillance footage, which showed Lopez’s truck approaching at a high rate of speed. According to the affidavit, the traffic signal was green as the truck approached and changed to yellow as it passed through the intersection.

According to the affidavit, the witness also observed Lopez after the crash and described him as staggering slightly, bleeding from his mouth and appearing impaired. He also told investigators he detected an odor of alcohol on Lopez.

During questioning, Lopez denied running a red light and told investigators Hunt’s vehicle pulled out in front of him from the nearby parking lot. Lopez stated he attempted to brake but was unable to avoid the collision. He told investigators his truck subsequently spun around and struck a third vehicle.

According to the affidavit, Troopers examined the damaged vehicles and determined that high speeds were involved based on the extent of the damage and his training and experience as a police officer and apprentice crash reconstructionist.

The charges were approved for prosecution by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office under Prosecutor Bernard Carter.

The Indiana State Police investigated the crash at the request of the Hammond Police Department because one of its off-duty officers was involved. Lopez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.