Published: April 03, 2008 09:15 pm            

Man involved in three-vehicle accident wanted for assault

A man who led an Alabama State Trooper on a high-speed chase before he collided with two vehicles in Vinemont Wednesday was wanted for allegedly beating a woman severely in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff’s reports indicate Francisco Hernandez Lopez, 38 of Albertville, was wanted on a warrant for assault in the first degree.

“We have a female victim currently in the hospital,” said Jackson County Chief Deputy Doyle York. “She sustained injuries last Saturday, pretty serious injuries. Evidently it was a domestic dispute.”

York could not confirm the exact relationship between Lopez and the victim.

Lopez sustained serious injuries in the wreck and had to be flown by Air Evac to Huntsville Hospital, where he is currently in critical condition.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk with him,” York said.

Also injured in the crash was Derinda Duke, 50 of Vinemont. Duke was transported to Cullman Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

Samuel L. Wilhite, 26 of Falkville was also involved in the collision but did not sustain any injuries.

According to state trooper reports, the incident began around 3:54 p.m. with an alert for all authorities to be on the lookout for a white Chevrolet Malibu LS in the Vinemont area. A state trooper noticed the vehicle at the Jet Pep service station in Vinemont and pulled up behind it, at which point the vehicle, which Lopez was driving, sped away on Highway 31 North.

Minutes after the chase began, the Chevrolet bumped into the back of a green pickup truck (driven by Wilhite), which apparently caused it to lose control and swerve into the left lane. Lopez’s vehicle then collided with Duke’s white Lexus RX 330 traveling the opposite direction. The vehicles came to a stop near the intersection of Highway 31 and County Road 1283.

The sides of Lopez’s and Duke’s vehicles were damaged so severely that firefighters had to use extrication equipment to free them. The truck received minor damage.

After Lopez is released from the hospital, he will be charged with assault in the first degree, which is a Class B felony and punishable by as much as 20 years in prison.

        

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