Seven-year sentence in crash at Camden concert

A West Deptford man was sentenced to seven years in prison yesterday for crashing into a crowd of people at an outdoor concert in 2007 and injuring a young girl.

In January, 41-year-old Wilbur Lopez pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Camden to assault by automobile, eluding police, aggravated assault and cocaine possession.

Lopez admitted he rear-ended a woman driving at the intersection of Front Street and Mickle Boulevard in Camden on July 21, 2007 about 8:30 p.m.

After he hit that car, Lopez kept driving on Mickle Boulevard, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. About a block later, Lopez drove his SUV into a crowd that was gathered at Wiggins Park for a concert sponsored by a local radio station.

Lopez's car struck a 10-year-old girl from Magnolia, who received extensive facial scrapes and a knee injury. The girl has since largely recovered, according to the Prosecutor's Office. - Allison Steele