Los Angeles -On Friday May 17, 2002, at approximately 12:50 a.m., German Gonzalez Lopez, 40-year old resident of South Central Los Angeles died in a traffic collision. Lopez was driving a 1988 Blue Ford Aerostar Van northbound on Avalon Boulevard, South of Florence Avenue when Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies in the area observed him driving at a high rate of speed. Deputies were also northbound Avalon Boulevard and in the distance, observed Lopez drive through the red light at Florence Avenue and Avalon Boulevard and collide with a red 1992 Ford Ranger truck travelling westbound on Florence, driven by 25 year old Harold Powers Jr. of Inglewood. Lopez was transported to Martin Luther King Hospital where he died a short time later due to his injuries. Powers and his unidentified 25-year old female passenger were killed upon impact.

This investigation is ongoing and is being handled by Central Traffic Division Detectives. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective III Tia Morris or Officer R. Cortez at 213-485-3111. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This press release was prepared by Officer Esther Mya Pe, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.