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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
Hobbs Police: High Speed Chase with Wanted Man Ends with One Person Dead 7/2/12
Press Release
July 2, 2012
On Sunday July 1st, at approximately 9:30 pm officers of the Hobbs Police Department became involved in a pursuit with a vehicle driven by 33 year old Eloy Lopez of Hobbs. Lopez was initially being stopped for an equipment violation, but as he refused to stop he exhibited many driving habits of a person who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. During the pursuit Lopez swerved from lane to lane and in some instances drove into oncoming traffic. On several occasions during the pursuit Lopez drove towards police units in a manner as though he were going to intentionally strike the police cars with his vehicle.
Officers attempted to deploy spike strips several times during this incident in an attempt to disable Lopez’s vehicle, a 1989 Honda Prelude. All attempts to disable the vehicle by the use of tire deflation devices were unsuccessful. Lopez eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a building located in the 1000 block of North Grimes. Lopez sustained injuries and was transported to Lea Regional Medical Center, he was eventually transferred by helicopter to University Medical Center in Lubbock TX. A passenger in the vehicle, 30 year old Debra Lara Gonzales of Hobbs, sustained severe injuries and was transported to Lea Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
Lopez was wanted out of Yoakum County Texas for an outstanding Parole Violation stemming from a conviction of Attempted Murder with a Deadly Weapon and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.
This incident is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police and the Hobbs Police Department. Charges related to this incident are pending the completion of the investigation.