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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.

Drunk Driver Sentenced To 15 Years To Life In Prison For Fatal 14 Freeway Crash

A drunk driver was sentenced to 15 years to life for a 14 Freeway crash which killed one person, officials said Thursday. 

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 his Toyota Matrix from his lane of travel and crashed into the rear of Edinburgh’s Toyota Corolla, according to California Highway Patrol records.

See Related: Fatal 14 Freeway DUI Crash Suspect Returns To Court

Fire personnel arrived at the scene at 5:40 a.m. and reported that a vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. After firefighters 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.


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Drunk Driver Sentenced To 15 Years To Life In Prison For Fatal 14 Freeway Crash

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.