HAMMOND, Ind. — An off-duty Hammond police officer has been charged with felonies following a crash in Hammond that killed a 73-year-old driver, according to the Indiana State Police. Alonso J. Lopez, 34, of Hammond, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a mid-level felony, and reckless homicide, a low-level felony. A warrant was issued Thursday afternoon for the arrest of Lopez. He surrendered to state police Thursday evening at the Hammond Police Department and was taken to the Lake County jail. Online court records on Thursday night showed his bail was set at $5,000 cash; no court date was set. The online court records also included a note from Magistrate Mark Watson that the probable cause affidavit, as written, does not sufficiently establish that the 73-year-old died as a result of the crash. Troopers assigned to the state police’s reconstruction unit completed the initial investigation into the crash, which happened at 8:55 p.m. Friday on Columbia Avenue in Hammond. Investigators said a black 2024 Chevrolet Silverado truck, driven by Lopez, was speeding northbound on Columbia Avenue at 165th Avenue. The Silverado crashed into a Toyota Highlander SUV, causing severe damage to the driver’s side. The driver of the Highlander, Thomas Hunt Jr., of Gary, died at the scene. He died a few days before his 74th birthday. According to police, the Highlander was attempting to enter Columbia Avenue from a nearby parking lot and crashed into a fence. The Silverado then entered the southbound lanes and struck a Ford SUV. Lopez and the driver of the Ford, who was not named in news releases from state police, were taken to the hospital for treatment and later released. Lopez voluntarily submitted to a blood draw after the crash. State police noted that additional charges may be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office once the crash reconstruction investigation is complete. ...read more read less