The seven-year-old's mother, who just had a baby three weeks ago, returned to the apartment Monday afternoon so her friend could grab some of her personal belongings. She was understandably too upset to talk to us. She showed up at the home about an hour after the suspected drunk driver accused of killing her son made his initial appearance in court.
Lopez stood before a judge as prosecutors outlined the allegations him. They say the 27-year-old father of two was drunk when he veered across several lanes of traffic and drove his Ford Crown Victoria into an apartment building, striking two children who were playing outside while a relative of one of the boys was grilling on the porch.
A prosecutor said, "Witness stated he observed the suspect had smelled like he had been drinking. Officers made contact with the suspect. Suspect upon arriving observed to have strong odor of alcoholic beverage, glass eyes and very slurred speech."
One those kids, Jesus Ordonez, 7, was thrown inside the apartment from the force of the impact and later died from his injuries. Lopez's car landed on top of Christopher Cruz, the little boy's friend. Police say heat from the car's engine severely burned the four-year-old over 40 percent of his body.
A piece of the car's grill and the license plate were found just outside Ordonez's front door. Neighbors are still reeling.
"The Bible says, if you break the law, you pay the consequences," said neighbor Herman Schneckenburg. "So he'll have to pay the consequences."
Friends of the family stopped by the apartment, which is now boarded up, to grab a few things for Ordonez's mother.
The judge asked Lopez, "Do you want the Mexican consulate to be notified of your arrest?"
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement put a detainer on Lopez, as there are now questions about his legal status.
Lopez submitted to a blood test, so investigators could determine his blood alcohol content. Those test results are expected to be returned sometime on Tuesday.
Lopez is charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. He's being held at the Harris County Jail. Federal immigration officials are in the process of setting up a time where they can interview him to gather more information about his status here in the US.
Christopher Cruz is being treated for his burns at Shriner's Hospital. We are told his condition is improving.
