iPhone Auto Crash Detection Leads Authorities to Crash & Fleeing Suspects
CROSS PLAINS, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Two men are facing numerous charges after allegedly crashing their vehicle on Highway 49, taking out a utility pole, and interrupting power to a neighborhood for over two hours. The crash occurred on Sunday near the Highway 49/25 interchange, with the first call coming into 911 at 11:07 a.m. LOCATION OF CRASH
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Sebastian Gaspar Lopez, 27, was identified as the driver of the 2016 GMC Yukon, with Nicolas Francisco Lopez, 29, as the passenger. According to the THP, both men are from Tennessee.
Authorities were initially alerted to the crash by auto-crash-detection software from one of the occupant’s own cell phones. The feature, built into most cell phones, alerted 911 and provided the vehicle’s location. Upon arriving at the scene, officials found the vehicle in a ditch and a utility pole cut in half; however, none of the occupants were found at the crash site.
With the assistance of the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) launched a search of the area. Within minutes, both gentlemen were located and taken into custody– one in a barn around 11:25 a.m. and the other in a field around 11:41 a.m. Both men are now facing numerous charges. Sebastian Lopez (the alleged driver) was charged with reckless endangerment, leaving the scene, and DUI, while Nicolas Lopez faces charges of public intoxication and leaving the scene.
According to the THP, both men were wearing safety restraints and according to Cross Plains Fire Chief Tommy Jackson, neither of the two men sustained serious injuries. Hwy 49 was closed while the THP investigated the crash and located the two men, and the Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC) repaired the damaged utility pole.
One notable aspect of this case is that, assuming the suspects left the scene as alleged, their own cell phone technology worked against them by alerting authorities to the crash the very instant it occurred.
The THP is leading the investigation into the incident. The THP, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, the Cross Plains Fire Department, and Robertson County EMS all responded to the scene.