A Los Angeles man has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend and other criminal counts connected with a wrong-way crash on the 101 Freeway that occurred last Thursday.
Cesar Iban Torres, 31, will be arraigned on Tuesday in Van Nuys court on one count each of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest, along with four counts each for attempted murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office told City News Service.
Torres was reportedly driving a 2003 Lincoln SUV westbound in the eastbound lanes of the 101 Freeway last Thursday evening when the vehicle collided head-on with a tractor trailer. According to the D.A.'s office, Torres' girlfriend, 26-year-old Aimee Garcia, was killed on impact. The couple's four children, ranging in age from one to seven, suffered moderate injuries.
The California Highway Patrol told City News Service Torres allegedly tried to flee the scene after the accident. Torres reportedly became combative when tracked down by CHP officers, and "a use of force occurred" while he was taken into custody.
Angie Valenzuela, an aunt, has described the 26-year-old Garcia as a "loving, caring mother" who was "a victim of domestic violence for many years." She identified the "aggressor" as Torres and alleged was an intentional act on his part to kill Garcia.
Torres has been held in jail since last Thursday on a $1 million bail.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Valenzuela to cover Garcia's burial costs has raised nearly $25,000.