Suspect arrested in electric bike accident; 1 person seriously injured

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – One person is in custody after an electric bicycle crash that seriously injured a man.

According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, on Skyline Drive, north of Aisin Drive, near Marion.

According to the sheriff’s office, a 44-year-old man was riding an electric scooter when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

The sheriff’s office said the victim was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries and then airlifted to a regional trauma center. According to reports, his condition is critical.

During the subsequent investigation, investigators identified the vehicle of interest by obtaining both pre- and post-crash photos showing damage to the newly acquired vehicle minutes after the incident.

Further investigation identified the vehicle’s operator, but law enforcement was unable to locate the vehicle or its operator, and public assistance was requested.

According to the sheriff’s office, on Thursday, November 28, at 8:28 p.m., deputies responded to a Good Samaritan report that a vehicle was at Casey’s General Store on East Deyoung Street in Marion.

The officers who arrived at the scene observed the vehicle, and after the passengers returned to the vehicle and left the grocery store, they conducted a traffic control.

The sheriff’s office says the vehicle was impounded and the suspect, identified as Guillermo “Henry” Lopez, was taken into custody.

The sheriff's office says the vehicle was impounded and the suspect is Guillermo... — The sheriff’s office says the vehicle was impounded and the suspect, identified as Guillermo “Henry” Lopez, was taken into custody(Williamson County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators searched the vehicle for physical evidence and confirmed that this was the vehicle that struck the victim.

Lopez gave an interview during which he reportedly stated that he knew he was involved in an accident.

Lopez was cited for the following reasons:

Car accidents resulting in death or personal injury
Car accident resulting in damage to the vehicle
Obligation to provide information and assistance
Careless driving
Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident
Inadequate lighting – one headlight
Operating an uninsured motor vehicle

The sheriff’s office said Lopez was transported to the Williamson County Jail and booked into custody.