An alleged drunken driver in a Ford Mustang plowed into motorcycle riders near 39th and Southern avenues last weekend.
Phoenix police report that about 9 a.m. Sunday, 23-year-old Jonathan Enrique Lopez was driving on Southern Avenue approaching 39th Avenue. Police say he was going about 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit when several motorcycle riders pulled out of a parking lot. Lopez swerved to avoid the crowd but overcorrected back into the riders.
One rider escaped by accelerating off the road, but another rider was struck by the car. Police say the victim "was launched from his motorcycle which was thrown over a small canal." The victim suffered a severe head injury and had to have his left leg amputated. Police say the two other people in Lopez's car were injured, one with possible facial fractures.
Lopez was arrested on scene and police report his preliminary blood-alcohol level was .124. Lopez reportedly admitted to drinking a couple of beers overnight.
He's been charged with aggravated assault and several counts of endangerment.
