Family of man killed in single-vehicle crash in South Austin seeks answers

AUSTIN, Texas - A single-vehicle crash last weekend ended up killing a 24-year-old Austin man and his family wants to know how it happened.

The crash happened on Feb. 1, a few minutes away from the house Jaymes Torres shared with his aunt, who said she had spoken to him less than an hour before the crash and he told her he was headed home. He never made it.

His family didn't know where he was until around 2 a.m. when they received a call from the hospital.

"I don't know what's going on I don't know what happened to my nephew that night that evening," Torres' aunt Crystal Morin said.

It's been nine days since the crash claimed Torres' life, nine days his family has spent without answers. Austin police say Torres' car lost control for an unknown reason on East Stassney Lane near Birch Creek Road, crashing into a group of trees.

Torres had gotten out of prison just three weeks before the crash that happened on a Saturday. He was set to start a full-time job on Monday and was working to become a more stable presence in the life of his children.

“He was trying to do right for his life, and just lost his life in a terrible way you know -- tragic way.” said his longtime friend, Alex Lopez. 

As Torres lives on through organ donation, his family and friends are raising funds for funeral expenses and working to give him a proper goodbye, something they believe they need answers for.

They hope to have services on Feb. 17 and 18 but must provide funds first. The family is hosting a benefit on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2024 E. Cesar Chavez Street that will run from noon until sell out. They have also set up a GoFundMe. Payments can also be made over the phone to Mission Funeral Home at 512-476-4355. 

The family is also asking anyone with information to come forward.

“Everything happened so fast, then we would know what exactly happened  and let him rest in peace,” Morin said.