Legal Nightmares Continue for San Antonio Man Wrongfully Arrested in 2020 Hit-and-Run Crash

San Antonio – The difficulties continue for Eduardo Lopez, a man who was wrongfully arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident that took place in December 2020. Although he was cleared of all charges, the aftermath has led to a series of unfortunate legal and financial setbacks that have left him fighting for his rights.

The Incident and Initial Arrest

On December 8, 2020, a crash occurred at the intersection of Fredericksburg and De Chantle Roads. A driver in a black truck collided with another vehicle and fled the scene. San Antonio police quickly honed in on Lopez as their suspect, issuing warrants for his arrest for failure to stop and render aid. Security footage captured the moment when officers approached Lopez outside his home, informing him that he had to accompany them to the Bexar County Jail.

Lopez, bewildered, stated, “That’s not me. I don’t crash and run,” as he was taken into custody

Swift Exoneration and Apology

Despite being charged with serious felonies, the case against him unraveled rapidly. Lopez did not own a black truck and was nowhere near the crash site. Chief William McManus of the San Antonio Police Department personally visited Lopez’s home shortly before Christmas to apologize, presenting him with a check for $700. In a letter, McManus admitted that the department had made a mistake in apprehending him.

Legal Tangles Post-Arrest

The troubles, however, didn’t end with his exoneration. In November 2022, a Dallas-based law firm representing an auto insurance company filed a lawsuit against Lopez for damages related to the crash he had nothing to do with. Despite informing the attorney that he was wrongfully charged, Lopez found himself facing a court judgment after he failed to respond to the suit, leading to a judgment against him for over $10,000.

Consequences of the Judgment

Shortly after the default judgment was awarded, Lopez was notified that his driver’s license had been suspended, a move that could last up to ten years unless he pays the judgment. The attorney for the plaintiff, Cass Keramidas, informed Lopez that if he did not pay promptly, various legal actions would be taken against him, including attaching a lien to his property.

Support from SAPD

As the situation worsened, Lopez sought help from the San Antonio Police Department in securing a temporary security clearance to attend his son’s Air Force graduation. Remarkably, after intervention from Assistant Chief of Staff, Capt. Michelle Ramos, Lopez received a pass to attend the graduation, allowing him to celebrate this significant milestone without any further complications.

In a further act of support, McManus provided Lopez with another letter reaffirming his innocence and expressing hope that it would ease his challenges finding employment due to the wrongful charges still appearing on his record.

Steps Toward Resolution

Recently, after investigative efforts revealed the ongoing issues surrounding Lopez’s case, attorney Keramidas filed paperwork which ultimately released Lopez from both the judgment and the suspension of his driver’s license. This development brings a much-needed respite for Lopez, yet he is now looking toward formally expunging the charges from his record.

A Path Forward

Lopez may petition for a bill of review against the initial judgment due to the misleading circumstances that led to it. He still has a window of up to four years from the original judgment date to file the petition, although the release from the judgment may change the direction of this process.

In a situation that began with a wrong arrest, Lopez’s legal battles highlight not only the complexities of the justice system but also the human cost endured by those wrongly accused.