S2000 Enthusiast Passes Away After Canyon Crash
A cautionary tale and morbid reminder to respect the road.
This is the worst type of news to report, but ignoring the truth does good for no one. An S2000 enthusiast has passed away after a canyon road drive went wrong.
Luis Armando Lopez, age 26, of La Verne, California was killed in the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said. His modified S2000 is believed to have lost control and drove off the road, falling some 100 feet in the process.
Highway 39, better known to locals as Azusa Canyon, is an area in the Southern California mountains known for it’s excellent driving roads. Myself, and many other enthusiasts have driven Azusa. Though, most drivers likely aren’t thinking of the possibilities if things were to go wrong. Lopez was about halfway through Azusa when he lost control of his vehicle.
Initial reports indicate loose gravel/road debris may have been involved. Adverse road conditions can be a serious problem in the canyons. This is especially true during Winter, where snow, ice and freezing conditions can happen in the mountains from the altitude.
California Highway Patrol, in tandem with Sheriff Air Rescue 5, eventually recovered the 2007 Honda S2000, where it was found resting on it’s roof. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in memoriam for his family members. If you are able, consider donating to help the family of a fellow S2000 enthusiast.
The hard truth is that this young man is now gone, and nothing can bring him back. Hopefully people can take solace, and appreciate their lives, and the lives of their loved ones. Having seen people crash in the canyons firsthand was enough to make me slow down, and save it for the track. This could have been any one of us on a bad day. Enjoy the road, but respect it, and respect that it can sometimes be unforgiving. May Lopez rest in peace.
