GILBERT, AZ — The driver accused of causing a crash that killed the son, future daughter-in-law, and granddaughter of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has now been indicted on three counts of manslaughter, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
Gilbert police originally submitted the charging recommendation against 21-year-old Brian Torres after the crash near Elliot Road and Cole Drive in December 2022.
Video in the player above includes previous coverage of the crash.
Torres was reportedly driving west on Elliot Road when he struck a vehicle driving east, attempting to turn left onto Cole Drive.
Inside the other vehicle was 22-year-old Cooper Lamb, Cooper's fiancee, and their infant daughter.
Cooper and their daughter were pronounced dead at the scene on Dec. 16, 2022. Twenty-year-old Caroline Patten died from her injuries on Dec. 23, 2022.
Last night, Sheriff Lamb lost his son, Cooper Lamb, along with his one-year-old granddaughter in a crash in Gilbert. Cooper and his daughter were passengers in the vehicle. Cooper’s fiancé and mother of the child was also seriously injured. She remains in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/OrhRbSvQTu
— Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (@PinalCSO) December 17, 2022
On Thursday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Torres-Perez has been indicted on three counts of manslaughter, which is a class-two felony.
“This defendant’s reckless disregard for life wiped out an entire family,” said Mitchell. “After an extensive review of the evidence, it’s time for Torres-Perez to be held responsible for his actions.”
Torres-Perez is currently in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office with a $150,000 cash bond.
"We are truly humbled and touched by the outpouring of love from our Family and Friends/Community. We cannot thank you enough. Our hearts are broken but we are comforted in your love and the love of God and Jesus Christ," said Sheriff Lamb on Facebook after the crash.
Gilbert police believe Torres was driving at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash, driving about 70 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone.
Torres was arrested on the scene on suspicion of impairment. Blood samples revealed Torres' blood alcohol content (BAC) was .03 and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was found in his system.
