ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Lopez-Lyman family was met with loud support Sept. 11 as drivers honked while passing the memorial of their loved one, decorated with flowers and birthday balloons.

“Think before you turn,” reads a sign posted at the entrance of the WinCo shopping center located off Sheldon Road, with a picture of Connor Elliot Lopez. It serves as a reminder that one careless turn can take an innocent life.

According to the Elk Grove Police Department, Lopez was riding his motorcycle down Sheldon Road on April 23 when an SUV turning left from the oncoming lane into a shopping center struck him at around 3:50 p.m. Lopez was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Lopez was a young musician from Galt and a piano teacher at NewSongs School of Music in Elk Grove. A 2018 Liberty Ranch High School graduate, Lopez had lived in Galt with his family, who have resided in the community for 11 years. Lopez was on his way home from the gym when the crash occurred.

On Sept. 11, family and friends gathered at Lopez’s memorial to celebrate his birthday. He would have turned 24 years old.

Remembering Connor Elliot Lopez

 

Pictured is Connor Elliot Lopez. Courtesy photo

“Connor was just the kindest person that you’ll ever meet. He lit up every room he walked into,” said his mother, Allison Lyman.

Lopez was her oldest child and only son. The silence in their household, Lyman said, has been one of the hardest reminders of his absence.

“He brought music to our home every day. Every holiday, he played for us,” Lyman said. “He was very gifted; it was like his soul was his music.”

Ella Lopez, his sister, added that Lopez was a classically-trained pianist who could play everything from Chopin to Frank Ocean, a gift that his mother said he displayed from a young age.

Connor had been attending Sacramento City College and planned to pursue law school. His mother noted that Lopez “had his whole life ahead of him” and was excited for his future.

Ella Lopez described her brother as the center and core of the family, the sibling that younger relatives looked up to and every cousin’s “favorite cousin.” Despite his piercings, tattoos, riding a motorcycle, skateboarding and love for the alternative rock-band Deftones, Ella Lopez said, her brother was a gentle and soft man.

“He had effortless swag,” Ella Lopez said, also recalling her brother’s humor and expressive mannerisms that always made people laugh.

“He just put everyone at ease. Everyone liked Connor,” his sister said. “When he walked in a room, everyone would just gravitate toward him.”

 

Connor Elliot Lopez’s mother and sister show matching tattoos of Benny, Lopez’s cat, which he had tattooed on him. Photo by Idaly Valencia

They also recalled his love for animals, especially his cat, Benny. Known for being difficult with others, Benny had a special bond with Lopez. He loved Benny so much that he had the cat tattooed on his hand, a tattoo Lopez’s mother and sister now share in his memory.

Lopez was passionate about teaching music and making an impact in the community through his talents.

The family said their last holiday with him was Easter, just three days before the crash, a bittersweet memory as he was surrounded by loved ones for the last time.

Seeking Accountability

Every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m., the Lopez-Lyman family gathers at Connor’s memorial, the site where he lost his life. Locals often stop to talk, share condolences and ask about his story.

“So many people come up to us and want to hear about Connor and want to tell us their condolences and that no one should have died here,” Allison Lyman said. “He was a spectacular person, just coming home and doing absolutely nothing wrong. Just trying to get in a quick workout. It’s hard to make sense of how his life ended here.”

Following the crash, the city of Elk Grove conducted a safety assessment of the turn. Officials told the family that they found responsible drivers could make the turn safely, with less than one accident per year at that spot and no prior fatalities.

The family maintains that they have videos and witness statements providing evidence that the driver was driving recklessly and should face greater liability for their actions.

 

Allison and John Lyman hold photos of Connor Lopez on Sept. 11. Photo by Idaly Valencia

“Connor was clearly visible and not speeding, right here when the woman turned,” Lyman said.

John Lyman, Lopez’s stepfather, added that another driver behind the SUV also reported seeing Lopez.

“In the video, it’s clear, irrefutable truth,” John Lyman said.

The police report cited “failure to yield on a left turn” as the cause of the crash, according to John Lyman.

“A safe driver can make this turn,” said his stepfather. “If they don’t yield, you’re putting all these other drivers at risk and that’s what happened.”

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office filed vehicular manslaughter charges against the driver. However, the family was informed that under Assembly Bill 3234 Public Safety, passed in 2020, the driver could be eligible for diversion.

The law allows counties to establish pretrial diversion programs for misdemeanor offenses, including certain traffic violations. Charges such as driving under the influence (DUI) and vehicular manslaughter might be dismissed if a defendant completes program requirements or meets certain conditions.

Allison Lyman emphasized the public safety risk of allowing individuals who commit these crimes to continue driving without any repercussions.

“Unfortunately, that can be your Uber driver. They’re back on the roads like nothing happened; no record, no penalty,” Allison Lyman said.

Typically, those convicted of vehicular manslaughter face up to one year in jail, although many serve little or no time. Lyman said she fears the driver in Lopez’s case might face no consequences at all.

 

Connor Elliot Lopez was riding his motorcycle down Sheldon Road on April 23 when an SUV turning left from the oncoming lane into a shopping center struck him at around 3:50 p.m. Photo by Idaly Valencia

“We’re just asking for accountability and for the jury to see the evidence,” she said. “We are terrified this person could get diversion and we know bringing attention to it will help.”

Ella Lopez acknowledged that some fatal crashes are true accidents but “this was not one of those,” she said.

“You can’t sit back and say it wasn’t preventable,” said John Lyman.

Allison Lyman added, “For us, we’ve been handed a life sentence of agony without Connor.”

Their mission now is twofold: to honor Lopez’s legacy and to push for change. The family is urging lawmakers to amend the law to exclude vehicular manslaughter from diversion eligibility. But, immediately, the first hurdle as the case moves forward is getting that opportunity to present the evidence before the court.

“We want justice; we want accountability,” Allison Lyman said.

 

The Lopez-Lyman family hold signs and pictures at Connor Elliot Lopez’s memorial site on his birthday, Sept. 11. Photo by Idaly Valencia

Connor’s Legacy Continues

On Sunday, Sept. 14, family and friends gathered at Elk Grove Park Pavilion from noon to 4 p.m. for a celebration of life honoring Lopez. Guests enjoyed some of his favorite foods, including Taco Bell and Coronas, and shared stories and mementos. Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen attended.

During the celebration, the inaugural Connor Lopez Music Scholarship, offered through NewSongs School of Music, was awarded to a local music student. The scholarship, which will be awarded annually on Lopez’s birthday, aims to provide the gift of music to a child who might not otherwise have the opportunity, his mother said.

The Lopez-Lyman family encourages the community to follow their journey and support them through this process. Updates and information are available on the Connor Lopez Facebook memorial page.

 

Family and friends hold signs advocating for justice at Connor Lopez’s memorial site at the WinCo shopping center entrance on Sheldon Road. Photo by Idaly Valencia