The Houston man who allegedly chased an SUV full of egg-throwing teens before a deadly crash that killed an innocent bystander on New Year’s Day has been charged with manslaughter, authorities announced. Christopher Lopez, 48, appeared before a judge Tuesday morning, just a few hours after turning himself in and being indicted by a grand jury Monday night. “Had [Lopez] not escalated a juvenile prank, a woman would still be alive,” prosecutors said in court Tuesday. He has been charged with manslaughter, failure to stop and render aid, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly chasing and flashing his semi-automatic weapon at a 14-year-old driver who egged his car. The teens, claiming they were scared for their lives, ran a red light and fatally struck 45-year-old Silvia Zavala who was in a nearby vehicle. If convicted, Lopez faces up to 20 years in prison.
