An Orange Beach man, Tyler Lee Henderson, has been charged with reckless murder in the Aug. 22 traffic death of Mount Vernon Police Officer Ivan Lopez.

“The identity of the driver has been verified and warrants have been issued for the arrest of Tyler Lee Henderson of Orange Beach, Alabama,” Summerdale Police Chief Kevin Brock said Sept. 1 at a news conference. “Current charges are reckless murder, DUI assault, driving while suspended and violation of the Alabama Ignition Interlock law.”

Henderson was under court order to have a vehicle equipped with a system to check his alcohol level before he can drive. The truck in the accident did not have the equipment installed.

“A gray 2017 GMC truck was traveling west on County Road 36 at an excessive rate of speed,” Brock said. “Officer Lopez was traveling south on Highway 59 in the outside lane. The truck approached the stop sign at Highway 59 and never slowed down. He crossed four lanes of traffic and made contact with Lopez and caused what can only be described as an explosion. We believe officer Lopez was killed upon impact. As for the driver of the truck, alcohol was a contributing factor.”

A Baldwin County Chief Assistant District Attorney said Henderson has had past DUI arrests and has been arrested in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. She says the night of the wreck investigators believe Henderson was traveling from Orange Beach to Robertsdale.

Fire departments who responded include Summerdale VFD, Robertsdale VFD, Foley Fire Department, Styx River VFD along with MedStar and LifeFlight.

Law enforcement helping at the scene or with the ongoing investigation Summerdale, state troopers, Baldwin County’s Sheriff’s Office, Foley, Orange Beach and the Florida Highway Patrol. Four investigators from Baldwin County Sheriff’s office are also working on the case.