Crime & Safety
Family in Fatal Jefferson Crash Supports Accused Drunken Driver
Relatives of Luis Torres said they will stick by the man, whose alleged actions led to the deaths of three of their family members and an unborn baby, report says.
The relatives of Luis Torres, the man accused of drunkenly driving a Ford Explorer with nine people inside on Route 15 Saturday night and causing a fatal crash, have said they support the man and that he is family, according to The Star-Ledger.
Luis Torres, 37, of Jersey City, was charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, three counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and five counts of fourth-degree assault by auto. Two adults, including Torres' mother-in-law, his 11-year-old step-daughter and his relative's unborn baby were killed as a result of the crash. Torres appeared via video camera for a bail hearing in Morristown Superior Court on Tuesday to reduce his $750,0000 bail, but a judge denied the motion.
Torres allegedly told authorities he had been drinking that day at a family party and was "probably twice the legal limit" when he got behind the wheel to drive the 2002 Ford Explorer.
Several relatives attended the bail hearing Tuesday and told The Star-Ledger that they are supporting Torres "a hundred percent." The relatives told the newspaper that the crash was an accident.
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