Deputy's wife killed during "ride along" by; Rick McCann www.privateofficer.com
Arden Hills MN. Jan 3 2008
The wife of a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy accompanying her husband on a New Year’s Eve ride-along died early Tuesday when a wrong-way driver smashed into their squad car on U.S. 10 in Arden Hills.
Investigators said the wrong-way driver might have been drinking.
Margaret L. Lopez, 56, of Shoreview, died at the scene when the oncoming vehicle hit the passenger side of the squad car, said Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson. Lopez was in the passenger seat.
Her husband, Joseph Lopez, 61, is a 27-year veteran of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul before being discharged Tuesday morning, Peterson said.
According to the State Patrol, the following events unfolded before the collision:
Investigators said the wrong-way driver might have been drinking.
Margaret L. Lopez, 56, of Shoreview, died at the scene when the oncoming vehicle hit the passenger side of the squad car, said Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson. Lopez was in the passenger seat.
Her husband, Joseph Lopez, 61, is a 27-year veteran of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul before being discharged Tuesday morning, Peterson said.
According to the State Patrol, the following events unfolded before the collision:
A 23-year-old woman driving a black sedan was eastbound in the westbound lanes of U.S. 10 in Arden Hills.
The woman, Elizabeth Rhodes, of White Bear Lake, crashed into Lopez’s squad car about 3:30 a.m. just east of the Interstate 35W junction.
The westbound lanes of U.S. 10 were closed until midmorning while authorities conducted an investigation and cleared debris.
Officials said the wrong-way driver might have been drinking. She was taken to Regions Hospital with a torn aorta and was in critical condition Tuesday.
The investigation is continuing, Peterson said.
“Unfortunately, law enforcement gets involved in crashes on a regular basis,” he said.
Peterson added
that non-officers can participate in ride-alongs, which are common for the Ramsey County sheriff’s office.
“It’s not unusual for family members to want to ride along, so they know what law enforcement officials go through on a daily basis,” said Holli Drinkwine, a Ramsey County sheriff’s spokeswoman. There is no formal process for ride-alongs, Drinkwine said, but a supervisor is usually aware if one is taking place.
Joseph Lopez worked the midnight shift – from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. – answering calls in the suburbs.
He also has trained many deputies for the sheriff’s office, she added.
“He’s a very well-respected officer,” Drinkwine said. “Our department is trying to make a horrible situation somewhat better right now.”
A call to Rhodes’ parents in White Bear Lake was not returned Tuesday night. Her father is Ed Rhodes, senior pastor at North Lakes Community Church in Oak Park Heights. He was a police officer in Dallas for 11 years, according to the church’s Web site.
The woman, Elizabeth Rhodes, of White Bear Lake, crashed into Lopez’s squad car about 3:30 a.m. just east of the Interstate 35W junction.
The westbound lanes of U.S. 10 were closed until midmorning while authorities conducted an investigation and cleared debris.
Officials said the wrong-way driver might have been drinking. She was taken to Regions Hospital with a torn aorta and was in critical condition Tuesday.
The investigation is continuing, Peterson said.
“Unfortunately, law enforcement gets involved in crashes on a regular basis,” he said.
Peterson added
that non-officers can participate in ride-alongs, which are common for the Ramsey County sheriff’s office.
“It’s not unusual for family members to want to ride along, so they know what law enforcement officials go through on a daily basis,” said Holli Drinkwine, a Ramsey County sheriff’s spokeswoman. There is no formal process for ride-alongs, Drinkwine said, but a supervisor is usually aware if one is taking place.
Joseph Lopez worked the midnight shift – from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. – answering calls in the suburbs.
He also has trained many deputies for the sheriff’s office, she added.
“He’s a very well-respected officer,” Drinkwine said. “Our department is trying to make a horrible situation somewhat better right now.”
A call to Rhodes’ parents in White Bear Lake was not returned Tuesday night. Her father is Ed Rhodes, senior pastor at North Lakes Community Church in Oak Park Heights. He was a police officer in Dallas for 11 years, according to the church’s Web site.
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