Driver in fatal Jefferson crash pleads guilty

MORRISTOWN — A Jersey City man has pleaded guilty on Monday, March 23, to charges stemming from a drunk-driving motor vehicle crash that occurred on Aug. 24, 2013, in Jefferson Township, which left three people in his vehicle dead.

Luis E. Torres, 39, pleaded guilty in Morris County Superior Court to aggravated manslaughter, a crime of the first degree, two counts of vehicular homicide, crimes of the second degree, four counts of assault by auto, crimes of the fourth degree, one count of assault by auto, a crime of the third degree and driving while intoxicated. Under terms of the plea agreement, Morris County Prosecutor Frederic M. KNapp said the state will seek a sentence of 20 years in state prison with an 85 percent period of parole ineligibility.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 29.

Police said Torress was traveling on Route 15 South in Jefferson with his family. He was operating a 2002 Ford Explorer when it flipped over with nine people in it. Three were children younger than 18 years old. Several passengers were ejected from vehicle resulting in the death of three passengers, Lucila Colon, 62, Julissa Colon, 36, and Tevia Booth, 11. Torress and the five remaining passengers suffered injuries.