Trial begins for man accused in Pennsylvania car crash that killed brother and sister

YES. GOOD AFTERNOON. PEOPLE. THE CASPER FAMILY WAS IN THE COURTROOM TODAY. THE WHOLE FAMILY FILLED THE SECOND ROW OF COURTROOM 1. THEY WERE CRYING QUIETLY AS THE TRIAL BEGAN. 40-YEAR-OLD CESAR TORRES OF FLORIDA IS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF VEHICLE DEATH AND TWO COUNTS OF NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER FOR THE ACCIDENT. THIS ACCIDENT LOST BRANDY AND LENNY CASPER. BRANDY WAS 21 AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE WAS DRIVING HER FAMILY'S FORD PICKUP TRUCK. HER YOUNGER BROTHER LENNY WAS 18 AND ABOUT TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. TODAY IN COURT, THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TOLD THE JURY THAT ON MAY 22, 2021, TORRES WAS DRIVING A FULL CARRIER ON ROUTE 72 SOUTH IN LANCASTER COUNTY. HE HAD JUST PICKED UP THE VEHICLES AT THE MANHEIM AUTO AUCTION WHEN, ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, HE RUN A RED LIGHT IN EAST PETERSBURG AND HIT THE CASPERS PICKUP TRUCK WHICH WAS CROSSING THAT INTERSECTION. THE CASPERS VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND ENCOUNTERED IN FLAMES. NOW TORRES' LAWYERS ARE SAYING HE WAS NOT RECKLESS AND THIS WAS JUST A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. The district attorney disagrees, saying the tourists had time to slow down or stop and he did nothing. The trial will continue tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

Trial begins for man accused in Lancaster County car crash that killed brother and sister

Updated: September 16, 2024, 8:09 p.m. EDT

The trial of a truck driver accused of killing a brother and sister in a 2021 crash in Lancaster County began Monday. Cesar Torres of Florida is charged with involuntary manslaughter and manslaughter. Police say Torres was speeding in a tractor-trailer when he ran a red light at the intersection of Route 72 and Graystone Road in East Petersburg and struck a pickup truck with 21-year-old Brandie Kasper and 18-year-old Leonard Kasper inside. The collision caused the truck to roll over and catch fire, resulting in the deaths of the Kaspers. Torres' attorneys said he was not reckless and that this was a tragic accident. The district attorney argued that Torres had time to slow down or stop and he did nothing. Torres was arrested in Florida and later extradited to Lancaster County to face charges there.

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania —

The trial of a truck driver accused of killing a brother and sister in a 2021 crash in Lancaster County began Monday.

Cesar Torres of Florida is charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide.

According to police, Torres was driving a semi-trailer truck at the speed limit when he ran a red light at the intersection of Route 72 and Graystone Road in East Petersburg, striking a pickup truck carrying 21-year-old Brandie Kasper and 18-year-old Leonard Kasper.

The collision caused the truck to overturn and catch fire, resulting in the death of the Kaspers family.

Torres' lawyers said he was not negligent and that it was a tragic accident.

The district attorney argued that Torres had time to slow down or stop and he did nothing.

Torres was arrested in Florida and later extradited to Lancaster County to face charges.

WGAL