Gilberto Torres Arrested after Fatal Crash that Killed O’Donnell Teen Ariel Santos on Hwy 380 in Lynn County
Lynn County, TX – A man, identified as Gilberto Torres, 44, of Lubbock, has been charged in connection with a deadly wrong-way collision that left an O’Donnell girl dead and injured several other people on US Highway 380 in Lynn County on August 15, according to the Lynn County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO)
LCSO said on a social media post that the agency had obtained warrants of arrest for Torres on charges of Intoxicated Manslaughter, two charges of Intoxicated Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury, and one charge of Intoxicated Assault.
The victim was identified as 17-year-old Ariel Santos, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in the crash.
The crash happened at approximately 9:51 p.m. Saturday, August 15, near US Highway 380 and County Road HH.
According to preliminary DPS reports, Torres was driving east on US Highway 380 when he traveled onto the wrong side of the roadway. At the same time, 18-year-old Brylee Renteria of O’Donnell was driving west on US 380 with four minor female passengers from O’Donnell and Lamesa. Torres’ vehicle entered the path of Renteria’s vehicle, and the two vehicles collided in the westbound lanes.
Santos was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers in Renteria’s vehicle were transported to University Medical Center for treatment. Torres was also taken to UMC after suffering injuries in the collision.
Authorities determined that Torres was driving on the wrong side of the roadway before the vehicles collided. The arrest charges indicate that intoxication is alleged to have contributed to the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and Lynn County Sheriff’s Office investigated the fatal collision.
The fatal crash remains under investigation.
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