Man charged with reckless homicide for death of Liberty motorcyclist
May 25, 2022 at 8:13 p.m.
On May 18, at 8:38 p.m., officers with the Indiana State Police and Richmond Police Department went to the 300 block of North 17th Street in Richmond to execute an arrest warrant on Rafael Lopez for Reckless Homicide.
Lopez was arrested and preliminarily charged with:
Reckless Homicide, a class "5" felony.
Operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license (Prior), a class "A" misdemeanor.
Bail was set in the amount of $25,000, 10% cash authorized. On May 19 Lopez posted the $2,500 bond.
The charges stemmed from a three-vehicle crash on May 10, at 4:45 p.m. in Wayne County that resulted in the death of Samuel Weller of Liberty.
A preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Police Reconstruction Team determined a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by Samuel Weller, 47, of Liberty, was westbound on Pottershop Road. At the same time, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan drove by Ericka Lundy, 51, of Richmond, was eastbound on Pottershop Road. The Dodge Caravan was followed by a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Lopez, 27, of Richmond.
As the two vehicles approached a hill, the Equinox began to pass the Caravan in a marked, no-passing zone for eastbound traffic. During the illegal pass, the Equinox collided head-on with the motorcycle, causing Weller to be thrown from the vehicle.
When Trooper Bayly arrived, he began to provide medical assistance to Weller. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner James Jones. Both Lundy and Lopez did not sustain any injuries during the crash.
Lopez was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wayne County Jail.
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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On May 18, at 8:38 p.m., officers with the Indiana State Police and Richmond Police Department went to the 300 block of North 17th Street in Richmond to execute an arrest warrant on Rafael Lopez for Reckless Homicide.
Lopez was arrested and preliminarily charged with:
Reckless Homicide, a class "5" felony.
Operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license (Prior), a class "A" misdemeanor.
Bail was set in the amount of $25,000, 10% cash authorized. On May 19 Lopez posted the $2,500 bond.
The charges stemmed from a three-vehicle crash on May 10, at 4:45 p.m. in Wayne County that resulted in the death of Samuel Weller of Liberty.
A preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Police Reconstruction Team determined a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by Samuel Weller, 47, of Liberty, was westbound on Pottershop Road. At the same time, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan drove by Ericka Lundy, 51, of Richmond, was eastbound on Pottershop Road. The Dodge Caravan was followed by a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Lopez, 27, of Richmond.
As the two vehicles approached a hill, the Equinox began to pass the Caravan in a marked, no-passing zone for eastbound traffic. During the illegal pass, the Equinox collided head-on with the motorcycle, causing Weller to be thrown from the vehicle.
When Trooper Bayly arrived, he began to provide medical assistance to Weller. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner James Jones. Both Lundy and Lopez did not sustain any injuries during the crash.
Lopez was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wayne County Jail.
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.