A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:51 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, has claimed the life of an Opelika man.

Gudiel A. Lopez, 26, was fatally injured when the 2008 Ford Econoline van, in which he was a passenger, struck a 2021 Toyota Tacoma driven by Larry White, 72, of Alexander City. After the initial collision, the Ford left the roadway and overturned. Lopez was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

White and two other passengers in the Ford were injured and transported to area hospitals for treatment. The driver of the Ford, Rigoberto L. Ramirez, 20, of Opelika was not injured.

The crash occurred on U.S. 280 near the 102 mile marker, approximately two miles east of Auburn, in Lee County.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.