Hilton Head restaurant worker killed in Saturday crash had loving family, officials say

Editor’s Note: An updated version of this story with more information about the victim can be found here.

A worker at Tio’s Latin American Kitchen restaurant was killed in a fatal accident on U.S. 278 outside of Shelter Cove on Saturday night, officials said.

Jose Ruben Lopez-Perez, 53, of Hilton Head Island was pronounced dead at the scene, Beaufort County Chief Deputy Coroner David Ott said Sunday.

“Ruben was a wonderful man and kind to everyone,” Sally Hammer Zuniga, a managing partner for Tio’s, said Sunday. “We are very fortunate he was a part of the Tios family.”

Zuniga said Lopez-Perez worked as a member of the kitchen staff.

“He was proud of his work and even more proud of his family and his grandchildren,” Zuniga said. “We are heartbroken and will remember him always. Our deepest condolences go out to all who knew him.”

The crash remains under investigation by the S.C. Highway Patrol but no charges are expected, a patrol news release says.

Lopez-Perez was driving a GTI when struck by a Nissan while he was turning onto U.S. 278 from Shelter Cove at about 10:45 p.m. Saturday, the patrol report says.

He was wearing a seat belt, the report says.

The other driver was taken to a nearby hospital.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 3:54 PM.