A Columbus man was killed Thursday evening when a drunk driver struck his motorcycle on Highway 45 North, police said.
John Andrew Hall, 38, of 3174 Highway 45 North in Columbus, was driving north on Highway 45 at the 31st Avenue intersection around 6:30 p.m. when Julian Alvarez Lopez, 34, of 2306 Bittersweet Drive in Columbus, who was southbound on Highway 45, turned left onto 31st Avenue and into Hall”s path. Hall”s motorcycle struck Lopez”s 2004 Dodge Stratus, causing Hall major head and chest trauma which resulted in his death.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said Hall was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
Lopez was administered a Breathalyzer test at the scene of the accident and registered a .227 percent breath content, according to Columbus Police Lt. Terrie Songer. Mississippi”s legal limit is .08 percent.
Police said Lopez refused further breath tests. Police sent a blood sample to the Mississippi Crime Lab in Jackson for testing. Lopez suffered no injuries, police said.
Lopez was arrested for felony vehicular manslaughter, and misdemeanor charges of driving with no license and no insurance.
Bond for Lopez, who was still in custody this morning, has not yet been set.
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