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Newly appointed softball coach Noel Lopez died in a motor vehicle accident, Saturday, Sept. 20.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sergent Steven Woodard confirmed Lopez’s death after an accident involving Lopez’s 2001 Indian motorcycle and a 2006 Ford F250 truck around 5:35 a.m. on State Highway 71 around County Road 102.
According to Woodard, the owner of the truck was assisting a broken-down 18-wheeler. Both the 18-wheeler and truck were parked in the southbound roadway. Lopez struck the Ford truck and was declared dead on scene. Columbus Volunteer Fire Department Captain Anna Schultz confirmed that CVFD shut down both sides of SH 71 in response to the accident and that the highway reopened just before 8 a.m.
A press release from Rice Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Kenny Center first announced Lopez’s death.
“Coach Lopez dedicated 30 years to educating, inspiring, and supporting colleagues, and communities in his career,” Center said. “While this is Coach Lopez’s first year as a Rice Raider, he has already made a lasting impact on his students and was fully invested in the Raider family.”
Lopez, 54, comes from Uvalde and previously coached football, basketball and softball for decades at Uvalde High School. Rice CISD Athletic Director Brad Dumont shared his thoughts on Lopez’s death in an email sent to the Citizen.
“Raider Nation, we are sad to share the news of the passing of one of our own, Coach Noel Lopez. His loss is felt deeply throughout our Raider community, and he will be greatly missed,” Dumon said. “There is no doubt his presence has had a great impact on our students and staff. The Raider community is very saddened and will miss him greatly.”
Center said that counseling and support services will be available to both students and staff at both the high school and junior high school. A tribute for Lopez will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. on the Rice High School Softball Field.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article ran on the Citizen’s Website on Saturday, Sept. 20.
