Hector Torres facing DUI felony charges for death of motorist on Highway 43
From Hanford Sentinel
HANFORD, CALIF. — 06/08/2017 — California High Patrol officers believe alcohol may have been a factor in a fatal crash late Tuesday night on Highway 43 near Conejo Avenue.
At 10:34 p.m., the Fresno Communication Center received a call of a traffic collision on Highway 43 just north of Conejo Avenue with officers responding to investigate.
According to the CHP, the investigation determined that 26-year-old Hector Torres of Riverdale had been stopped on the east shoulder of Highway 43 when he pulled across the northbound lane, possibly attempting a U-turn.
The CHP was later notified that the 79-year-old man died while at Adventist Medical Center. His name had not been released pending the notification of family.
According to officers, Torres is suspected to have been under influence of alcohol. CHP officers are unsure if the death was the result of the collision or a pre-existing medical condition. MORE
Rien Ban given life in prison for wiping out four lives in this DUI crash in Fresno, Calif. Photo courtesy of ABC30.com
DUI DRIVER RIEN BAN FOUND GUILTY OF 4 COUNTS OF MURDER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Rien Ban, 45, of Fresno, was convicted of four counts of murder Fresno for 2014 crash sentenced to life in prison
06/08/2017 — The Fresno District Attorney reports that Rien Ban was sentenced to sixty (60) years to life in prison on Jan. 12, 2017, for a 2014 DUI collision that killed four people. The prosecution was led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Billy Terrence and Senior Investigator Jesse Perez. On June 22, 2014, Mr. Ban caused a collision on Highway 180 between Kerman and Mendota killing Lisandro Rodriguez (10), Danny Rodriguez (7), Belkys Quezada (25), and Sinoeun Uong (37). Mr. Ban’s blood alcohol level was measured at 0.21% two hours after the collision.
Ban had twice been convicted of driving under the influence 2000 and 2006.
Ban had twice been convicted of driving under the influence 2000 and 2006. In each of those cases, Mr. Ban was warned that if he continued to drive under the influence of alcohol, and as a result, somebody was killed, he could be charged with murder. Because of his history of driving under the influence, the District Attorney’s Office elected to prosecute Ban for murder, as opposed to gross vehicular manslaughter, based on the theory that he acted with a conscious disregard for human life when he chose to drink and drive.
The parents of Lisandro Rodriguez and Danny Rodriguez hold a sign about their sons outside a Fresno County courtroom Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. photo courtesy of Fresno Bee
On November 17, 2016, a Fresno County jury deliberated for one hour before finding Ban guilty of four (4) counts of second-degree murder.
SDDA Terrence stated, “The defendant placed his own selfish interest to drink and drive above the safety of other human beings in our community.”
Fresno County Superior Court Judge Conklin sentenced Mr. Ban to the maximum term of sixty (60) years to life at the California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. However, upon reaching age 60 and after serving 25 years, Ban will be eligible for release under the Elderly Parole program. SDDA Terrence stated, “The defendant placed his own selfish interest to drink and drive above the safety of other human beings in our community.”
