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A fatal crash on the 14 Freeway in the northbound lanes, north of Soledad Canyon Road, prompted a DUI investigation Sunday morning, officials said.

Fatal 14 Freeway DUI Crash Suspect Has Case Continued

The fatal 14 freeway DUI crash suspect who was arrested almost a year ago returned to court Tuesday to have a date set for his preliminary hearing, but had the setting continued into August.


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Nearly a year has passed since the fiery 14 freeway DUI crash where Joe Lopez, 25, of Little Rock, allegedly struck a parked vehicle and the driver along the road, causing the death of a 60-year-old man.

During that time, Lopez has made a few appointments at the San Fernando Superior Courthouse where his case is being weighed. The latest appointment, on July 10, saw his preliminary hearing setting pushed back to Aug. 8.

CHP records show the victim, Sam Edinburg, was parked on the northbound 14 freeway on August 13, 2017 shortly before 5:30 a.m., when Lopez allegedly drifted from his lane of travel and collided with Edinburg’s Toyota Corolla.

Related: Fiery 14 Freeway Crash Kills 1, Driver Arrested On Vehicular Manslaughter, Felony DUI Charges

Fire personnel arrived on scene at 5:40 a.m. to an area north of Soledad Canyon Road and reported that a vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. After Fire officials extinguished the burning vehicle, Edinburgh was declared dead at the scene.

Lopez was charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI later that day, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials.

The accused man entered a not guilty plea during a hearing in December 2017.

Bail was initially set at $100,000, but was later increased to $2 million.

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Fatal 14 Freeway DUI Crash Suspect Has Case Continued

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About Chris McCrory

Chris McCrory is the acting News Director for KHTS Radio. He set up a profile picture in his first week as an intern in 2015, and still isn't sure how to change it. He will graduate from Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism in December 2018.