Driver indicted in fatal Okolona crash

Justin Sayers , 12:12 p.m. EST December 27, 2016

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(Photo: Metro Corrections)

The driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal crash in Okolona earlier this month was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on charges of murder, wanton endangerment and DUI.

Jose L. Gomez, 18, of Louisville, was driving his silver 2004 BMW 525IA on Maple Road on Dec. 16 when he ran a stop sign and struck two vehicles at the intersection of Cooper Chapel Road, according to court records. He was taken to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of one of the vehicles, 59-year-old Martin Showalter, was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force trauma. The driver of the third vehicle, 44-year-old Shawn O'Brien, was arrested after police said he left the scene. A passenger in O'Brien's car was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Lopez was indicted last week on two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, and one count each of murder, DUI and operating a motor vehicle without a license, court records show. If convicted, murder holds a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to the indictment.

Louisville Metro Police previously said Lopez was driving his car north on Maple Road when he ran the stop sign and hit a black car, which had the right of way. The impact pushed the black car into a pickup truck that was sitting at a third stop sign, heading southbound on Maple Road. Three people were trapped in two cars as a result of the crash.

According to an arrest citation, Lopez did not have a license and admitted to driving the car and drinking eight beers. A search warrant was obtained for his blood, which showed he had a blood-alcohol content of .196 while at the hospital.

Police said after the crash that he would be facing murder and DUI charges once he was booked into Metro Corrections. He was booked into jail around 3 p.m. Friday and is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He was arraigned in Jefferson Circuit Court on Saturday.

Jail records show that an immigration detainer was requested for Lopez. Detainers, also known as immigration holds, are typically requested by federal officials as they decide whether to take the individual into federal custody for removal purposes. Per federal law, immigration detainers expire after 48 hours.

O'Brien, of Louisville, was also indicted last week in connection with the incident. He is facing a charge of failure to stop and render aid, a class D felony, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to the indictment.

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Shawn O'Brien, 44 (Photo: Metro Corrections)


He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Jefferson Circuit Court last Friday, records show. He is being held in Metro Corrections on a $2,500 cash bond.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story...rash/95867672/