A fatal 14 freeway DUI suspect returned to court Monday for a preliminary hearing regarding his alleged involvement in a 2017 crash that left a 60-year-old man dead.
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On Aug. 13, 2017, Joe Lopez, 25, of Little Rock, allegedly struck a parked car while driving on the 14 freeway near Soledad Canyon Road, resulting in the death of Sam Edinburgh, 60.
Edinburgh was parked on the northbound 14 freeway, north of Soledad Canyon Rd., shortly before 5:30 a.m. when Lopez allegedly drifted from his lane of travel and collided with Edinburgh’s Toyota Corolla, according to California Highway Patrol records.
Related: Fatal 14 Freeway DUI Crash Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
Fire personnel arrived at the scene at 5:40 a.m., 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. He pleaded not guilty in December of 2017.
Bail was initially set at $100,000, but was later increased to $2 million.
Lopez is scheduled to appear at the San Fernando Courthouse on Sept. 27 for a preliminary hearing.
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