New details on prior DUI for noncitizen charged in deadly Opelika wrong-way crash

The above video is a report on Gomez-Lopez’ initial arrest.

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – New details emerging about Armin Rubidio Gomez-Lopez, an undocumented noncitizen, facing reckless murder charges after allegedly causing a wrong-way DUI crash that killed prominent Columbus, Georgia, surgeon Dr. Malcolm Goodchild. Dr. Goodchild was born to parents who worked in healthcare after legally immigrating to the U.S.

Court documents show Gomez-Lopez has a history of drunk driving, with a prior conviction in Lee County nearly two years before the deadly crash.

According to court documents the first DUI incident involving Gomez-Lopez occurred on October 15, 2022, when a Lee County deputy pulled him over around 11:16 PM. Gomez-Lopez, driving a Ford F-150 near Lee Road 10 and Lee Road 394, was found to be without a driver’s license. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.090, over the legal limit. In Alabama, the legal BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers aged 21 and older. Gomez-Lopez was charged with DUI, Improper Lane Usage, and Open Container. He pleaded guilty to DUI in December 2022 and received a 12-month suspended sentence upon completion of a court referral program, along with 24 months of probation. The other charges were dismissed.

His prior DUI conviction has come to the forefront following the September 7, 2024 crash in which Gomez-Lopez, allegedly intoxicated, drove a Toyota 4Runner the wrong way down the northbound ramp of Interstate 85’s exit 62. Investigators say he collided head-on with a Tesla driven by Dr. Goodchild. The crash resulted in the Tesla catching fire. Dr. Goodchild died from his injuries, while his wife, who was in the passenger seat, survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

Dr. Goodchild was a highly respected general and trauma surgeon with privileges at Jack Hughston Memorial, Piedmont Columbus, and St. Francis hospitals.

During an Aniah’s Law hearing on Monday, a Lee County judge denied bond for Gomez-Lopez. The investigation into the crash continues, with an investigator testifying empty and unopened alcoholic beverages were found in Gomez-Lopez’s vehicle. Results from his blood alcohol test are still pending.

Opelika Police Department confirmed Gomez-Lopez has a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Many in the community have wondered why Gomez-Lopez was not deported after his 2022 DUI conviction. WRBL spoke with two attorneys outside the justice center after the hearing—neither involved in this case, but one specializes in immigration law. They explained undocumented individuals typically aren’t deported for misdemeanors like DUIs. Both documented and undocumented foreign individuals can be deported for committing a “crime of moral turpitude” or an “aggravated felony,” but DUIs usually do not fall into these categories unless accompanied by more serious charges.

Gomez-Lopez, who was hospitalized for several weeks due to injuries sustained in the deadly crash, remains in custody at the Lee County Detention Facility.

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