Parents sue driver in New Jersey graduation night car crash death

By Jim Greene

Published on August 15, 2005

Jorge and Lourdes Verea are suing Alexis Torres, the driver, and his uncle, Andre Gonzalez, who owned the wrecked Mercedes-Benz, for an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages.

After her high school graduation ceremony, Rebeka Verea got into the car with Torres. Later that evening, the speeding Mercedes rear-ended a commercial truck in North Bergen. The collision tore the roof off the car and killed Verea instantly.

Torres, who was thrown from the car and hospitalized for a time, was charged with death by auto, drunk driving, underage consumption of alcohol, reckless driving, and failing to wear a seat belt.

The Vereas said they have known Torres' family for years and that Torres was " a good kid," for whom they prayed while he was hospitalized in intensive care. Since being released, Torres has tried to contact the Vereas, but they say they're not ready to speak to him.

The couple, which hopes their suit will generate attention and possibly prevent similar incidents, has established a foundation to campaign for safe driving among teens. State Attorney General Peter Harvey, will speak at an upcoming town hall meeting about the dangers of drag racing and unsafe driving among young people.

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