Lynn County Healthcare System mourning loss of employee killed in motorcycle crash

The Lynn County community is mourning the loss of a 28-year-old healthcare system employee who was killed when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck Friday morning in South Lubbock County. 

Christopher Lee Lopez, 28 of Lubbock, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that was reported about 8 a.m. on U.S. 87 near FM 41, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Investigators believe Lopez was riding a 1999 Yamaha motorcycle south on U.S. 87 when he was struck by a 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck that was east on FM 41 as it crossed the highway. 

The pickup's driver, 24-year-old Kenton Brandt Robinson of Lubbock, was not injured. Lopez was wearing a helmet and Robinson was wearing a seatbelt.

It was not immediately clear what other factors contributed to the crash, which remains under investigation.

On Friday afternoon, the Lynn County Healthcare System released a statement confirming Lopez was a new employee working for its information technology department and mourning his loss.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I am reaching out to tell you one of our own was taken away this morning," the statement reads. "Our new IT family member was killed in an accident on his way to work at LCHS. Chris made an impact on everyone he met. His smile and kindness were evident every day. I would ask you to take a minute to remember his smile and friendliness … he will be missed by all of us. He has a young family … Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers."