Off-duty officer faces homicide charge after deadly crash in Hammond

Hammond police charged an off-duty officer with two felonies following a fatal collision that killed a Gary resident on October 16. The incident occurred near 165th Street and Columbia Avenue and resulted in the death of Thomas Hunt Jr., who was 73 years old.

Investigators report that Officer Alonso Jose Lopez was operating a pickup truck while under the influence of alcohol. He was traveling at a high speed when he struck Hunt’s SUV. Hunt was three days away from his 74th birthday at the time of the crash.

Lopez faces charges for causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated and for reckless homicide. The Hammond Police Department placed the officer on administrative leave on November 4. Indiana State Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision.

John Hunt, the victim’s brother, stated that investigators informed his family that Lopez was on his way to work when the accident happened. Hunt described his brother as the eldest of 13 siblings and the patriarch of a large family group. "He took being the oldest brother extremely important. He felt that was a priority," John Hunt said.

The family noted that Thomas Hunt Jr. worked at the Gary Works steel mill for more than 50 years. John Hunt said his brother helped support relatives throughout his life. "His ability to adapt and live and make things happen for the family was substantial. And, that legacy that he left, that will be lost," John Hunt said.

Relatives are organizing a memorial service for next weekend at Hunt’s childhood home in Gary. John Hunt expressed frustration regarding the officer’s condition before the crash. "It was an insult that you have an officer that would go to work, on his way to work, drunk, and his job, or even her job, is to ensure that we're safe," he said.

Lopez is scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning. The charges were filed nearly one week after the October 16 collision.