A man has been taken into custody in connection with an assault case involving a woman and an infant who fell out of a van in Indiana County. The incident occurred on Spring Street around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, when witnesses reported seeing a gold van driving at a high speed, resulting in the woman and infant falling out of the vehicle. Responding to the scene, first responders noticed a van matching the description provided by witnesses, but the driver refused to stop and instead drove away at a high speed. The van eventually crashed into a retaining wall on West Brown Street. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Rony Gomez Lopez, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by police after being subdued with a stun gun. Authorities discovered a crying 3-year-old child inside the still-running van and provided immediate medical attention. The woman who fell out of the van stated that Gomez Lopez was driving recklessly and assaulting her by punching her in the arm. She further explained that the incident occurred because the van’s sliding door had not been properly shut. The 3-year-old child was treated and released from a local hospital, while the woman is currently recovering at Forbes Hospital. The infant, however, was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital and remains in critical condition. Gomez Lopez is now facing multiple charges, including endangering children, attempting to elude police officers, assault, evading arrest, resisting arrest, and more. Additionally, it was revealed that Gomez Lopez had an active warrant from U.S. Immigration and Customs.
A man has been taken into custody for assault after a woman and an infant fell out of a van in Indiana County.
Police responded to a distress call on Sunday evening around 8:30 p.m. on Spring Street in Blairsville. The report indicated that a woman and an infant had voluntarily exited a van.
Witnesses informed authorities that a gold van was speeding when the two individuals were ejected from it, as per court documents.
According to the criminal complaint, while at the scene, first responders noticed a van driving past that witnesses claim was the same vehicle that had fled.
Officials made an attempt to halt the van, but it veered onto West Brown Street and swiftly fled before colliding with a retaining wall.
According to officials, Rony Gomez Lopez, the driver who was later identified, got out of the van and ran a few blocks before the police used a stun gun on him.
Lopez has been apprehended by authorities.
Officials discovered a distressed 3-year-old child inside the van when they arrived to inspect it. The child, who was crying, was promptly removed from the vehicle and provided with the necessary medical care.
According to the criminal complaint, Gomez Lopez was accused of driving at a high speed and physically assaulting the woman who fell out of the van. The court papers state that the woman revealed to investigators that she and the infant were ejected from the van due to the van’s sliding door being partially open.
According to the police, the 3-year-old child received medical treatment at a local hospital and has been released. The woman involved in the incident is currently recovering at Forbes Hospital. In a more serious condition, the infant was transported by helicopter to UPMC Children’s Hospital and is currently in critical condition.
Gomez Lopez is currently charged with a variety of offenses, including endangering children, fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, simple assault, evading arrest or detention on foot, and resisting arrest.
According to the police, Gomez Lopez was wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs with an active warrant.
