Luiz Daniel Lopez Killed in Amarillo Car Accident
Single-vehicle collision on South Grand Street claims life of 31-year-old Wildorado man
Single-vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes account for nearly a third of all traffic death in Texas, a grim statistic reflected in a weekend wreck in Randall County.
Luiz Daniel Lopez, 31, of Wildorado, was killed in a one-vehicle crash on South Grand Street south of State Loop 335 in Amarillo on July 5, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Emergency crews responded to the scene at approximately 1:50 a.m. after a southbound 2018 Audi Q3 left the road and struck a utility pole. The 34-year-old driver of the Audi was also pronounced dead at the crash site. Lopez was a passenger in the SUV.
Investigators have not yet determined why the vehicle veered off the road.
The Texas Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.
What do investigators look for in a run-off-road crash?
When a vehicle leaves the road, crash reconstructionists examine a variety of environmental and mechanical factors. Troopers will likely analyze tire marks, road friction, and the vehicle's event data recorder to determine the speed and trajectory before it struck the utility pole.
Families who lose a loved one in crashes like the one that killed Lopez often face a complex process of uncovering exactly what transpired in the moments before impact.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Roadway departure crashes often unfold within seconds, yet reconstructing exactly how a vehicle left the road and traveled toward a fixed object can take real time and expertise. Professionals typically rely on tire marks, surface friction readings, and recorded vehicle data to establish speed and direction before impact."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney can coordinate independent testing and safeguard evidence insurance companies might overlook," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How common are fatal single-vehicle accidents in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, single-vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes are the deadliest category of collisions in the state, causing 1,353 deaths in a single year. These incidents frequently occur during early morning hours when visibility is reduced and driver fatigue is more prevalent.
The ongoing investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol will aim to clarify which of these factors may have contributed to the fatal outcome on South Grand Street.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
"Pursuing a wrongful death claim begins with establishing legal standing for surviving relatives, gathering proof of damages tied to the loss. An attorney manages filing deadlines, communicates with courts, and keeps grieving families informed while pushing the case toward resolution," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.