GoFundMe Set Up for Family of Probation Officer Florencio Lopez

Officer Florencio Lopez has been identified as the victim of an accident reported on earlier this week.

The accident occurred on March 2 close to 3:05 p.m. when 26-year-old Russell Longworth of Modesto hit a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta head-on. The driver of the Jetta was only identified as a 41-year-old Los Banos man initially.

Longworth was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence and taken for treatment. He was taken to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas but no other reports on his condition have been reported on.

The Los Banos man who died at the scene of the accident has officially been identified as Probation Officer Florencio Lopez.

Lopez has worked at Monterey County Probation for 19 years. He was well-liked and respected by his co-workers and the youth at Juvenile Hall.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Lopez’s family by his co-workers and friends. Lopez has two daughters and a son who are now without their father. The last noted amount on the fundraiser was over $19,000 of a $5,000 goal.

According to reports released by the California Highway Patrol, before the accident, a caller identified the truck as a potential drunk driver. 20 minutes after receiving that call, they received the head-on collision call that involved Lopez.

As they arrived at the scene, they realized that the truck involved was the same truck they had received the call about a short time prior.

There have not been any other reports to determine if Longworth has been booked into San Benito County Jail as of March 6.

The California Highway Patrol has not released the level of Longworth’s blood-alcohol content or if he has obtained legal counsel.

The accident investigation is still ongoing.