Auburn man accused of murdering beloved surgeon in wrong-way crash

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – A undocumented noncitizen man has been arrested by Opelika police in connection with the deadly wrong-way crash that killed Dr. Malcolm Goodchild, a prominent Columbus surgeon, on Interstate 85 earlier this month.

On September 30, 2024, authorities arrested 41-year-old Armin Rubido Gomez Lopez after he was discharged from Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. Gomez Lopez has been charged with Reckless Murder stemming from the September 7 crash on Exit 62 on I-85. Gomez-Lopez had a previous DUI conviction in Lee County, a misdemeanor.

According to investigators, Gomez Lopez was driving a Toyota 4Runner the wrong way on the northbound exit ramp when he collided head-on with a Tesla driven by Dr. Goodchild. The impact was so severe the Tesla caught fire, and Dr. Goodchild, 50, was airlifted to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Dr. Goodchild’s wife was in the passenger seat, she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.

Gomez Lopez, who sustained serious injuries in the crash, was hospitalized for several weeks before his arrest. He is now being held at the Lee County Detention Center, where he awaits an Aniah’s Law hearing, which will determine if he remains in custody without bail due to the serious nature of the allegations.

The Opelika Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit is continuing its investigation into how Gomez Lopez ended up driving the wrong way on the interstate.

Witnesses and anyone with additional information about the crash are urged to contact the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.

Dr. Goodchild was a well-known general and trauma surgeon in Columbus, with privileges at several local hospitals. His death has left a profound impact on both the medical community and the patients he cared for throughout his career.

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