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Zenen F. Lopez-Guzman

Gender : Male

Age : 46

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 07/21/2021

Location : U.S. 23/74 and Hutchinson Branch Road

City : Sylva

County : Jackson

State : North Carolina

Agency : Haywood County Sheriff's Office, Waynesville Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed during police pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On July 21, 2021, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a Haywood County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 20-year-old Dalton Grey Suttles, who had outstanding felony warrants. Suttles fled westbound on U.S. 23/74 toward Jackson County. Officers from the Waynesville Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and Jackson County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit. During the chase, Suttles crossed into the oncoming eastbound traffic lane and collided head-on with a 2005 Nissan Titan pickup truck.
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Zenen F. Lopez-Guzman, a passenger in the Nissan Titan, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Titan sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital. The incident is under review, with agencies determining compliance with pursuit policies.
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Total Fatalities/Injuries:
• 1 Fatality (Zenen F. Lopez-Guzman)
• 1 Injury (Driver of Nissan Titan)

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wyff4.com/article/deputies-1-killed-2-injured-when-man-intentionally-drives-into-oncoming-traffic-during-chase-in-haywood-county/37105004
• https://wlos.com/news/local/haywood-county-sheriff-says-deputy-did-nothing-wrong-in-chase-that-ended-in-fatality
• https://theonefeather.com/2022/09/02/jackson-co-man-pleads-guilty-to-second-degree-murder-in-fatal-crash/
• https://wlos.com/news/local/jackson-county-man-pleads-guilty-to-killing-1-hurting-2-during-chase
• https://wlos.com/news/local/one-man-killed-during-police-chase-in-jackson-county