My Son Died on an Elk Grove Road. The Driver Faces No Real Consequences
If a defendant completes a diversion program, the case is dismissed, and the charges disappear
by Allison Lyman | Guest Commentary
MY SON WAS KILLED
My beautiful son, Connor Elliott Lopez, was tragically and senselessly killed on Sheldon Road in Elk Grove on April 23, 2025. Connor was only 23 years old. He was driving home from the gym on his motorcycle when a vehicle turned into oncoming traffic and killed him in broad daylight. Connor died on the road. The driver never even got out of her car as people ran to him while he lay dying. She is still driving today.
Connor was a classically trained pianist and an amazing son and older brother. He was a piano teacher at New Songs in Elk Grove. He was an incredible young man and excited about his future. He was innocent.
I have included a video of him playing piano and a few pictures of his beautiful life.
AB 3234, PUBLIC SAFETY, 2021
The woman who killed Connor has been charged with vehicular manslaughter. However, as of 2021, misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter became eligible for diversion under AB 3234, Public Safety.
If a defendant completes a diversion program, the case is dismissed, and the charges disappear. It is like it never happened. This is wrong and a threat to public safety on our roads. These reckless and dangerous drivers are returned to our streets with no record of their crime and no accountability for taking a life.
On December 15, Harjit Kaur was arraigned for Connor’s death, but because this is a misdemeanor in California, she wasn’t even present. She took a life and doesn’t have to show up to court!
WHAT WE HAVE DONE
We are trying to bring awareness of how these deaths are treated in California but we need help. We are meeting with legislators. We state over and over, if you do not hold these drivers accountable, their behavior will not change. A slap on the wrist tells them, and those around them, they did nothing wrong when they killed someone because of reckless driving.
We created a petition that in two months has over 10,000 signatures, Petition · Keep Killers Off Our Roads - United States · Change.org.
We have met with Senator Niello, Asm Tangipa, Asm Nguyen, Asm Lori Wilson, Senator Cortese and are reaching out to many more to continue fighting for new legislation to address what is happening on our roads. I will say this, every legislator we have met with acknowledges what is happening is wrong but not one has done anything about it. At some point, these deaths are on their hands.
WE ARE SPEAKING OUT
Cal Matters did an article discussing diversion and Connor’s case, How a speeding ticket can be worse than killing someone with your car in California - CalMatters.
CBS 13, Sacramento vigil remembers those lost in traffic incidents - YouTube
Fox 40, Sacramento family seeks justice for son who was fatally hit by car
Fox 40, Galt family seeks justice for son killed in motorcycle crash
CBS 13, Galt music teacher killed in crash remembered with celebration
Elk Grove Citizen, Life of Kindness, Call for Change | Elk Grove Citizen
Vodcast, Honoring Connor Lopez - YouTube
NOTHING IS BEING DONE
We saw the Cal Matters article today and finally legislators are looking into these deaths, California bill would crack down on repeat drunk drivers.
We begged the Sacramento County District Attorney's office to charge Connor's death as a felony - they refused. They stated because of the law.
The Judge denied the district attorney's request to make the driver appear in court because it's a misdemeanor.
We see all the articles on how Sacramento is trying to address the crisis on our roads through infrastructure. But no one is talking about the drivers and lack of accountability or consequence.
These are the drivers that plow through stop signs, red lights, ignore the speed limits, turn into oncoming traffic- infrastructure will not prevent their reckless driving. It will take policy and infrastructure changes.
PLEASE SPEAK WITH US
Connor's case is pending in Sacramento Superior Court. We know bringing attention to his case, and the lack of consequences for drivers who take an innocent life on our roads will save lives and bring change.
Editor's Note: Ms. Lyman has confirmed that State Sen. Roger Neillo (R - Roseville) and his staff are working on legislation to change the applicable laws.
