CHP identifies DUI suspect who hit ambulance and a second vehicle

By the Daily Post staff

UPDATE, AUG. 21 — An allegedly drunken driver who hit and overturned an ambulance on Interstate 280 and then proceeded to hit another car was identified by CHP yesterday as Edmond Manuel Tema Lopez, 24, of San Mateo.

Lopez is still being treated for major injuries at a hospital, but will be taken to jail upon his release on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run, according to CHP.

Lopez was allegedly driving a 1998 Toyota 4Runner south from Canada Road onto southbound 280, south of Edgewood Road and north of Farm Hill Boulevard when he hit a Woodside Fire ambulance from behind around 5:25 p.m. Saturday.

The ambulance veered from the far right lane to the far left lane, hit the center divider and overturned.

Lopez allegedly continued south and crashed into a second vehicle, then got out of his car and started running, but was eventually caught by the CHP.

While the ambulance was carrying no patients, the driver and passenger were hospitalized. The driver’s injuries were described as minor while the passenger’s injuries were termed as major but not life-threatening.

Aug. 19 — Three people were injured when an allegedly drunken driver struck and overturned an ambulance on Interstate 280 near Edgwood Road and then proceeded to hit another car, according to the CHP.

The accidents were reported at 5:25 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 18).

The CHP said a 1998 Toyota 4Runner was headed south on 280 when it hit a Woodside Fire ambulance from behind. The ambulance veered from the far right lane to the far left lane, hit the center divider and overturned.

The driver of the Toyota continued south and crashed into a second vehicle. The Toyota driver then got out of his car and started running, but was eventually caught by the CHP. After a visit to the hospital, the driver of the Toyota was booked into jail for felony DUI and felony hit-and-run.

While the ambulance was carrying no patients, the driver and passenger were hospitalized. The driver’s injuries were described as minor while the passenger’s injuries were termed as major but not life-threatening.