Man Pleads Guilty in Morris County Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 3

By Jason Koestenblatt (Patch Staff)

The man who drove drunk and crashed a car with nine occupants inside during the summer of 2013 pleaded guilty Monday in Superior Court in Morristown, Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced.

Luis E. Torres, 39, of Jersey City, admitted driving drunk on Aug. 24, 2013 when he crashed in Jefferson Township, resulting in the car flipping over and ejecting some of the occupants.

Three of those occupants died as a result, including Lucila Colon, 62; Julissa Colon, 36; and Tevia Booth, 11. Julissa Booth was pregnant at the time of the crash as well, and the fatal injuries she sustained also killed her unborn baby.

There were three occupants inside the vehicle under the age of 18. All of the remaining passengers, including Torres, suffered injuries as a result of the crash.

According to the arrest affidavit, Torres said he was unfamiliar with the area and was relying on his GPS device. He admitted he was speeding on Route 15 as he approached a slower-moving vehicle in the right lane. Torres said he swerved into the left lane but admitted he “was going too fast” and lost control of the SUV.
Torres pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter; two counts of vehicular homicide; four counts of assault by auto; one count of assault by auto; and driving while intoxicated.

Torres allegedly told police after the crash he had been drinking that day at a family party and was “probably twice the legal limit” before getting behind the wheel.

Under the plea agreement, Knapp said, Torres faces up to 20 years in prison with no possibility for parole for the first 17 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2015.

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