Janesville man in court on hit-and-run death
JANESVILLE—A Janesville man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges stemming from the death of a man killed in a hit-and-run crash.
Omar Miguel Lopez, 24, of 2323 Mt. Zion Ave., Janesville, appeared in Rock County Court on charges of hit-and-run involving death and knowingly operating while revoked involving death.
Bradley Griffith, 45, of 2614 Vail Court, No. 2, Janesville, died in the crash.
Lopez was driving a car east on Mt. Zion Avenue at 4:10 p.m. Saturday, April 11, when his vehicle collided with the small motorcycle Griffith was riding, according to the criminal complaint.
A witness told police Lopez had a red light and was traveling 50 mph, according to the criminal complaint.
Lopez fled the scene after the crash, according to the criminal complaint.
He later claimed he had a green light, police said.
Lopez remains in jail on $10,000 cash bond.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are investigating if Lopez is in the country legally, jail officials said.
Jun 13, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
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bobb1951: These days it seems illegals can do/get whatever they want, it's a joke how someone that breaks the laws and not from the good ole USA gets away with what they do. I see it as if you want to become an American good for you but don't sneak over here and kill,rob and take from us ... earn your time here as we would if moving to another country.
Jun 13, 2009 at 1:16 p.m.
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Our society pays so close attention to some details, such as whether or not you had an inspection done on your home while remodeling, or is your truck properly licensed for the payload. But illegal immigrants can can run around loose like free range people, and nothing is done until after it is too late. These people have not earned the driving privileges the same way you and I did. No driver's education, no DVM tests, no license etc etc. Even if this guy had one, why are so many of these 'former citizens' of Mexico, killing innocent Americans on our roads.
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Consider this, there are some of you out there who are assisting these 'imigrants' with the living arrangements. If a person is here legally and does all of the requirements to be a driver....then great, welcome to America...until then I'm sick of it. Not to mention the driving drunk part. My respects to the family of the victim...I'm sorry for you.
Jun 13, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.
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Sprout, you're my hero. I hope I get jury duty the month he's on trial.
Jun 13, 2009 at 8:31 a.m.
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sprout------- BINGO
Jun 13, 2009 at 6:20 a.m.
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Sprout -you hit it right on the head! "if you don't want wild animals hanging around your place, then don't leave your garbage out". We keep giving them easy street, they will keep coming back. You and I know he isn't here legally. Our effecient government will process him in "due time"....
Jun 13, 2009 at 12:29 a.m.
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Lets see how long this one lasts before the gazette disables comments for this story. For the record, they disabled the commensts for the last 2 stories about this.
Put the guy in prison for the full sentance, then revoke his green card and ship him out.
Jun 12, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
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luluberry_0981: What an idiotic statement! Do you have sommething against, "poor innocent people"?
Jun 12, 2009 at 6:33 p.m.
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So our tax dollars may be trying him for a death by vehicular homicide, then we get to warehouse him until the U.S.Immigration dept. deports him? Great! And I would be willing to bet he has NO insurance either!
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I can not fathom what Bradley Griffith's family has had to endure. I hope they find some way to get through this. It will be a daily struggle.
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There Is ABSOLUTELY NO reason someone drives 50 MPH in A RESIDENTIAL, 25 mph posted ZONE! My God! He was bound to kill someone. It could have been a small child chasing a ball. It could have been a Senior Citizen crossing the street. It could have been ME!!!
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He killed Bradley Griffith! He needs to do time. THEN deport him! If he doesn't do time now, and gets deported... he'll be back, in some other state...
Jun 12, 2009 at 6:10 p.m.
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Ugh. Just deport him.... Let him kill poor innocent people in his country.
Jun 12, 2009 at 5:29 p.m.
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go figure ....
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