Man charged after allegedly driving wrong way in traffic and killing girlfriend

LOS ANGELES (TCD) -- A 31-year-old man was arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into opposing traffic on a major freeway and striking another vehicle. The collision killed his girlfriend and injured their four children.

The Los Angeles Fire Department announced Thursday that they were responding to a multi-vehicle collision on the eastbound 101 freeway near the 405 freeway. The Fire Department wrote there were "at least 6 patients, with 1 trapped." In an updated statement, the Los Angeles Fire Department said one of the patients died. One adult and four juveniles were transported to a nearby hospital.

KTLA-TV reports Cesar Iban Torres' 2003 white Lincoln Navigator crashed into a big rig. According to KTLA, which cites a California Highway Patrol collision report, the big rig "attempted to avoid a collision but could not due to the 2003 Lincoln’s erratic driving."

The California Highway Patrol’s report alleges Torres ran away after the crash and was "combative" with officers.

The victim was later identified as Torres' girlfriend and mother of four, Aimee Garcia, KTLA reports. The children are reportedly between the ages of 1 and 7. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the children suffered "moderate injuries."

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement they charged Torres with murder, four counts of attempted murder, four counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest.

Los Angeles County Jail records show Torres’ bail was set at $4 million.

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