20-year HPD officer dies days after vehicle struck by train in north Houston, chief says

HOUSTON – An off-duty officer with the Houston Police Department has died Monday after his vehicle collided with a train in north Houston Wednesday morning, according to HPD Chief Troy Finner.

Finner said the officer, Vidal Lopez, who was a 20-year veteran of the force, was heading to work in his personal vehicle when it was struck by a train at a crossing track in the 6700 block of Fulton Street.

Lopez was hospitalized at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, where he later died.

Finner said Lopez, 42, is survived by his wife, who is currently pregnant.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.