Linda Hill v. Vince Torres Jr., Benjamin Bettencourt
Published: May 6, 2000 | Result Date: Mar. 30, 2000 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: SM111690 Bench Decision – $2,000,000
Judge
Court
Santa Barbara Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
On May 16, 1998, decedent Leslie Alejo, who was 18 years old and a senior high school student, attended her
senior prom. After the prom, the decedent and other students attended a post-prom party held at a ranch located
on Aliso Canyon Road near the town of Los Alamos. After the post-prom party ended, the decedent left the
party in a 1993 Ford Explorer driven by the settled defendant.
The decedent was seated in the back seat of the Explorer, along with her boyfriend, co-plaintiff Jay Storey. Co-
defendant Vincent Torres Jr. left the post-prom party at the same time and was driving a 1998 Ford F250 pick-
up truck. Torres had several people riding in his truck as both cars left the party.
As both defendants traveled westbound on Aliso Canyon Road towards its intersection with highway 101, both
cars were observed to be driving at speeds in excess of 60 mph on a narrow two lane road that was under
construction. As both cars approached a curve in the road, Torres moved into the oncoming traffic lane and
accelerated at a very high rate of speed past the automobile driven by settled defendant and then was able to
turn in front of the settled defendant automobile just prior to the curve in the road.
After passing and moving in front of the settled defendant automobile, Torres entered the curve, and his truck
fish-tailed and his right side tires drifted onto the gravel shoulder. Torres was able to regain control of his
automobile and successfully negotiated the curve.
The settled defendant's automobile lost control as it entered the curve and became airborne, rolling in the air
several times before coming to rest in a vineyard adjacent to the roadway. All of its passengers were ejected
from the car prior to it coming to rest.
The decedent died at the scene of the accident. Jay Storey and the settled defendant
suffered serious spinal injuries as a result of the collision.
Damages
$200,000 in general damages for the loss of the society of her daughter.
Injuries
The plaintiff, the decedent's mother, claimed loss of society of her daughter.
Other Information
Torres denied any liability for the collision. An arbitration hearing was not held with respect to Torres' involvement in this case.
Length
three days
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