Houston Police Officer Accused of Tampering With DWI Probe After Montgomery County Crash

An off-duty Houston police officer was accused of obstructing justice after a rollover crash in Montgomery County. According to KIAH, Adan Lopez, who has been with the Houston Police Department since 2017, was a passenger in the car during the early hours of May 18 when it crashed and was subsequently charged with tampering with a DWI investigation.

At approximately 2 a.m., the vehicle operated by Norma Estrada veered off the road and rolled over at the 22000 block of FM 1314. The driver, Estrada, was suspected of driving while intoxicated and was undergoing a field sobriety test when Lopez allegedly refused to comply with deputies' instructions and consistently interfered with the investigation, as per authorities. KTRK reported that Lopez has also been hit with a charge for unlawfully carrying a weapon, though details surrounding this charge are not yet clear.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office stated that Estrada had been properly restrained by her seat belt during the incident, while Lopez had not, leading to him sustaining facial injuries. Following the altercation with deputies, Lopez was treated at a local hospital before being booked into the Montgomery County Jail. Estrada is currently facing DWI charges and is also detained in the same facility.

In an immediate response to the incident, the Houston Police Department has relieved Lopez of his duties pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. "HPD holds our officers to the highest standards and will take action up to, and including, termination," the department asserted in a statement obtained by KTRK. Lopez was a member of the North Belt Patrol Division, having been sworn in over seven years ago. The investigation into the crash and the subsequent conduct of officer Lopez is ongoing.