The driver of an SUV that crashed in New Jersey killing three people, including a pregnant woman and a child, and injuring six others is due in court today.
Luis Torres is expected to appear by video conference for a bail hearing in Morris County Tuesday.
Police say the 37-year-old Jersey City resident was driving family members and friends home after drinking beer most of the day when he lost control of his SUV on Route 15 in Jefferson Township Saturday.
Investigators said the vehicle suddenly swerved and left the roadway before overturning, ejecting several passengers.
Lucila Colon, 62, and Tevia Booth, 11, died at the scene, while Julissa Colon, 36, died later at a hospital, Morris County prosecutors said. Julissa Colon was five months pregnant, and her fetus didn't survive.
Six others were injured.
Colon's sister, Elizabeth Echevarria, told The Star-Ledger of Newark all three deceased victims were members of the same family. Lucila Colon was Booth's grandmother, Echevarria said.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Torres was held Sunday on $750,000 cash bail He is charged with three counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide and five counts of assault by auto.
The crash happened about 40 miles northwest of New York City.
Jefferson Township police say Torres told them he and his passengers had attended a family gathering that day in Sussex County and were on their way home when the crash occurred. They say Torres admitted he had been drinking beer for most of the day and said he was trying to pass another vehicle when he lost control of the SUV.
He also allegedly told police he was driving along unfamiliar roads and relying on his GPS, the Star-Ledger reported.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Torres had an attorney.
Torres and the remaining passengers -- all Jersey City residents who ranged in age from 5 to 40 -- suffered moderate to serious injuries.
