Crime & Safety
Hammond, IN Fatal Crash: Off-Duty Officer Held, Released
Hammond, IN – A deadly three vehicle crash involving an off duty Hammond police officer remains under investigation Tuesday, Oct. 20, after one driver was killed and two others were injured in a colli
By Jenna Hartley · 2026-10-19T10:51:23.726Z
Hammond, IN – A deadly three vehicle crash involving an off duty Hammond police officer remains under investigation Tuesday, Oct. 20, after one driver was killed and two others were injured in a collision that authorities believe involved excessive speed and alcohol.
According to Indiana State Police, the crash occurred Friday, Oct. 16, at approximately 8:55 p.m. near Columbia Avenue and 165th Avenue in Hammond, Lake County, southeast of Chicago.
Investigators say a black 2024 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound on Columbia Avenue at a high rate of speed when it crossed 165th Avenue and struck a silver 2021 Toyota Highlander entering the roadway from a nearby business parking lot.
The impact caused catastrophic damage to the driver's side of the Toyota.
The Chevrolet then rotated into the southbound lanes, where it was struck by a gray 2010 Ford SUV. The Toyota subsequently crashed into a fence west of Columbia Avenue.
The Toyota driver suffered fatal injuries. The drivers of the Chevrolet and Ford were transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries and later released.
State police identified the Chevrolet driver as Alonso J. Lopez, 34, an off duty Hammond police officer.
Authorities said Lopez voluntarily submitted to a blood draw before being taken into custody at the hospital.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail on a 48 hour probable cause hold but was subsequently released pending further investigation.
Investigators believe alcohol and excessive speed contributed to the collision, although blood analysis results remain pending.
The Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is continuing its investigation.
Once completed, the case will be forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office for review and consideration of possible felony charges.
The deceased driver's identity has not yet been released, pending family notification.
No criminal charges were announced in the Oct. 20 police release. Lopez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.