Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Fridley Crash
A two-vehicle crash Monday in Fridley claimed the life of a 50-year-old driver and a Coon Rapids man now faces charges of criminal vehicular homicide.
Authorities responded at 10:56 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20 to the 6600 block of East River Road after reports of a crash involving a 2007 Dodge Charger and a 2005 Honda Pilot SUV, both traveling southbound.
Court documents say the Honda Pilot, driven by 26-year-old Juan Carlos Rodriguez Torres, struck the Charger before both vehicles left the roadway. The driver of the Charger, now identified as 50-year-old Romell Sandoval Roca, of Maryland, was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by first responders to save his life.
PREVIOUSLY: Driver Arrested After Fatal Fridley Crash
Witness accounts and evidence gathered at the scene point to excessive speed and intoxication as likely factors. A witness working at a nearby business reported hearing screeching tires and saw the Honda Pilot at an estimated 80 to 90 miles per hour before it struck the Charger. The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway, with the Honda Pilot flipping multiple times before coming to rest against a patch of trees.
Torres was reportedly walking near his heavily damaged vehicle when officers arrived. He had a visible head wound and exhibited signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol, documents say. Authorities got a search warrant to draw blood and the results are pending analysis as of publication. While at the hospital, Torres was arrested and later booked into the Anoka County Jail.
Further investigation revealed that Torres had suspected marijuana in his possession at the time of the crash. Jail staff located two bags containing green leafy substances in his jacket pockets, which police believed to be marijuana, though it’s not specified in the charging documents.
On Tuesday, Torres was formally charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of fourth-degree driving while impaired. The charges allege gross negligence and impairment as contributing factors in the crash. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on each of the vehicular homicide charges. Bail was set Wednesday at $500,000.
The roadway was closed for several hours on Monday as officials processed the scene and collected evidence, including vehicle debris and damage to nearby trees and property.
Torres has a history of speeding violations, investigators noted in their reports.
The Fridley Police Department, Spring Lake Park Police Department, Fridley Fire Department, Allina EMS and Minnesota State Patrol responded to the crash. Authorities continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional information to contact Fridley PD.
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