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Crime News Breaking News

A Man Was Killed By A Boulder On A California Overpass — Authorities Think Someone Threw It

Christopher Lopez was killed as his wife Guadalupe Gutierrez drove them under an overpass. Authorities believe that someone intentionally threw a boulder onto the highway.

By Gina Tron

Police believe that someone threw a 35-pound boulder off a Pasadena, California overpass on Tuesday night. The results were fatal, killing a man sitting in the passenger seat of a moving car.

Christopher Lopez, 23, was killed as the giant rock smashed through the car’s windshield and struck him. His wife, 21-year-old Guadalupe Gutierrez was driving. The couple’s 4-year-old daughter and Gutierrez’ mother were in the backseat. Lopez was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to The Los Angeles Times. The boulder was about the size of a basketball, The Associated Press reported. Gutierrez, her mother and her daughter were not hurt, but they were shaken.

"This was an intentional act," said Lt. Chuck Geletko with the California Highway Patrol during a press conference on Thursday. "We need help from the public to find the person who committed this atrocious act."

Lopez’ widow also spoke at the news conference. She is currently pregnant with his second child, according to The Pasadena Star-News.

“Out of nowhere. Now, he’s gone,” Gutierrez said, tearfully. “He didn’t deserve this.”

Both California Highway Patrol officials and Lopez’s family urged anyone with any information about the deadly incident to come forward. Police are also investigating any surveillance footage in the area, according to The Pasadena Star-News. Additionally, they plan to go to a nearby homeless encampment to see if there were any witnesses present.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP Altadena Area Station at (626) 296-8100. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.

[Photo: California Highway Patrol]

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