The Port Arthur 19-year-old is accused of driving his Mustang the wrong way while drunk and killing a BPD officer
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Torres is set to appear before Judge John Stevens Aug. 9
Monday Aug. 9, a court hearing is set for the 19-year-old accused of driving his Mustang the wrong way before causing a fatal head-on collision with a Beaumont Police Department (BPD) vehicle.
Port Arthur resident Luis Fernando Torres was allegedly travelling the wrong direction on Cardinal Drive at about 2:30 a.m., according to the probable cause affidavit. That’s when he allegedly struck BPD Officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell, who was riding shotgun with her partner, 28-year-old Beaumont native Gabriel Fells, as the pair traveled northbound on Cardinal Drive. Officer Yarbrough-Powell died from injuries caused in the collision.
Torres was arrested Aug. 13, 2020 and charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault; both are felonies under Texas law. Bond amounts were set at $500,000 for the manslaughter charge and $250,000 for the assault charge, and Torres’ name was listed among those on the Jefferson County inmate roster Aug. 5.
Additionally, the TABC is investigating the source of the minor’s alleged drunken state. According to TABC’s Public Information Officer Chris Porter, the commission is investigating Tequila’s Mexican Bar and Grill in Port Arthur in connection to Torres’ alleged crimes. Porter said the investigation will essentially probe whether minors were served illegally or if overly intoxicated patrons were being served, further stating the restaurant could lose its liquor license and face fines.
“There is no doubt that it’s an extremely difficult time to be a police officer, but it’s also an extremely important time to be a police officer,” BPD Chief Jimmy Singletary told reporters hours after the crash. “Our officers and dispatchers have done a remarkable job during this difficult time, but we are hurting.”