ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The suspected drunk driver charged in a St. Joseph County crash that killed an infant waved his rights to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. The case now heads to trial according to the St. Joseph County District Court.
24-year-old Efrain Jimenez-Lopez was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident-causing death, operating under the influence causing death, and driving with a suspended license in the November 1 fatal crash that killed 6-month-old Alden Adams of Mendon.
Jimenez-Lopez, a Mexican citizen who was without a valid driver’s license and in the U.S. illegally, rear-ended a minivan on M-60 in Mendon Township according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office. The 6-month-old boy and his mother, 30-year-old Samantha Adams were in the minivan when it was struck from behind.
Authorities located Jimenez-Lopez in a nearby cornfield 150 yards away from the scene as he tried to crawl away after the crash to evade police.
He remains in custody at the St. Joseph County Jail.
