Suspect arrested and charged with reckless murder in death of Columbus doctor, police say

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the traffic death of a Columbus doctor this month in Opelika.

The Opelika Police Department announced in a Facebook post Armin Rubido Gomez Lopez, 41, was arrested and charged with reckless murder in the traffic death of Malcolm Goodchild.

The crash occurred Sept. 7 on I-85 at exit 62 in Opelika, according to Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton.

Goodchild was pronounced dead at Piedmont Columbus Regional’s midtown hospital, according to Sexton.

Police say a preliminary investigation shows the Toyota 4Runner driven by Gomez Lopez was heading south on the northbound exit ramp when it struck the Tesla driven by Goodchild.

A passenger in the Tesla was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from the hospital, according to the post.

“Gomez Lopez is currently being held at the Lee County Detention Center awaiting an Aniah’s Law hearing,” the post says.

This state law gives judges more authority to deny bail to suspects charged with serious crimes.