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Aug 18, 2021
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that a man involved in a wrong-way car accident on the 101 Freeway near Encino was charged with murdering his girlfriend and attempting to kill their four children.
Cesar Iban Torres, 31, was charged with nearly a dozen offenses, including:
Authorities say Torres intentionally crashed his SUV into oncoming traffic on August 12, striking a 2016 Kenworth tractor-trailer and killing his 26-year-old girlfriend, Aimee Garcia. The fatal wrong-way crash also resulted in moderate injuries to the couple’s four children, ages one to seven. KTLA reported that the 2003 Lincoln Navigator slammed head-on into the big-rig on the 101 Freeway near Haskell Avenue.
Torres reportedly fled the scene and resisted arrest. The California Highway Patrol confirmed that the suspect was “combative” and engaged in an altercation with officers before being taken into custody. Officers reportedly had to utilize a taser in order to detain Torres.
“A family has been torn apart by this tragic collision that leaves four young children without their mother,” Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón, said in a statement.
Paramedics took Torres and the four injured children to a local hospital for treatment.
In an interview with KTLA, the victim’s brother, Juan Zavala, said that the mother of four had previously been a survivor of domestic violence at the hands of Torres.
“Unfortunately, my sister sacrificed herself for her kids. It just hurts that the kids are going to grow up without a mother,” Zavala said to KTLA.
Zavala also indicated that he had been on the phone with his sister prior to the crash and heard the couple arguing.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help raise money for García’s funeral expenses.
Los Angeles County Jail records indicate Torres is currently in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in lieu of $4 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 2 at the Van Nuys Municipal City Division.
As we’ve discussed in previous posts, wrong-way car accidents actually occur much more frequently than people may realize. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an in-depth study examining wrong-way car accidents in 2012.
The study concluded that wrong-way motor vehicle collisions are typically serious events resulting in fatalities. Data compiled by the NTSB confirmed that over 300 fatalities per year are reported as a result of wrong-way car accidents.
That said, the vast majority of wrong-way car crashes are not intentional, as was allegedly the case with the tragic collision initiated by Cesar Torres.
Wrong-way motor vehicle collisions tend to be a result of impaired driving, elderly driving, or nighttime driving, according to NTSB data.
If you’ve been injured in a wrong-way car accident, you may be facing a number of challenges such as hospital or medical expenses, pain and suffering, or lost wages. Wrong-way motor vehicle collisions are predominantly the result of another driver’s negligence or recklessness. Accordingly, the injured party deserves to be compensated for any resulting losses – both economic and non-economic.
A personal injury lawsuit with Dordulian Law Group (DLG) can be a means of recovering maximum financial compensation for various damages. At DLG, our experienced, trusted, and proven car accident attorneys will fight to recover every available type of damages due to your wrong-way collision.
Some common damages recovered after wrong-way car accidents include:
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
In tragic wrong-way car accident cases such as the one that killed Aimee Garcia, the decedent’s surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit in an effort to recover financial compensation for various losses.
Common damages recoverable through a wrongful death claim may include:
At DLG, we’re led by a former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Sam Dordulian. Dordulian brings a wealth of experience and skill that simply can’t be found at most personal injury law firms, including over 100 jury trial victories throughout his decorated career.
Car accident victims consistently choose DLG to handle their claims because of our experience, dedication, and proven results. The unparalleled advantages we offer injured victims like you are clear:
If you’ve been injured in a wrong-way car accident, don’t put the responsibility of handling your claim and recovering you the maximum financial compensation you truly deserve in the hands of an inexperienced or undedicated settlement mill law firm. Choose the car accident experts at DLG who have the experience and results that will give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what’s most important – your physical recovery and overall well-being – while we fight to obtain justice on your behalf.
Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue a financial award for your personal injury case. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation today.
DLG’s No Win/No Fee Guarantee means you never have to worry about any upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses after a wrong-way car accident. You don’t pay a penny until we successfully recover a maximum financial damages award for your claim.
Contact a dedicated member of DLG’s Car Accident Division team today online or by phone at 866-GO-SEE-SAM. We’re standing by to assist with your claim and fight for your right to secure justice and recover the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
For a wrong-way car accident injury, the best call you can make is to DLG.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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