Suspect charged in Opelika crash which killed Columbus surgeon
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A suspect has been charged in a deadly Opelika head-on collision that left a Columbus surgeon deceased.
Police said 41-year-old Armin Rubido Gomez Lopez from Auburn, AL, was arrested after being discharged from Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, GA.
Gomez Lopez is charged with Reckless Murder in connection to the September 7, 2024, fatal traffic crash on Interstate 85 at the Exit 62 Northbound exit ramp.
“Based on a preliminary investigation the Toyota 4Runner driven by Gomez Lopez was traveling south on the northbound exit ramp when it struck a Tesla head-on,” police said.
The driver of the Tesla, 50-year-old Dr. Malcom Goodchild from Fortson, GA, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The passenger of the Tesla was treated at the hospital fornon-life-threatening injuries and was released.
Gomez Lopez is currently being held at the Lee County Detention Center awaiting an Aniah’s Law hearing.
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