September 9, 2010
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Story Created: Feb 1, 2010 at 11:30 PM PDT
Story Updated: Feb 2, 2010 at 12:03 PM PDT
The crash would forever change the lives of the two sisters from Arvin. Marta Perez, 25, and her 16-year-old sister, Rosie Landeros, were on their way to dinner and a movie.
Torres was driving his truck back to the company yard, Palla Rose Farms. Toxicology tests found Torres to have been driving with a blood alcohol content of .16 -- twice the legal limit. Torres walked away from the crash without serious injuries.
But sisters Marta and Rosie suffered brain damage. Rosie, the driver, got the brunt of it, spending six weeks in a hospital in a coma.
Attorney Daniel Rodriguez is representing the sisters. Rodriguez said Rosie will need constant around-the-clock care and supervision for the rest of her life.
"She was left with part of a brain," said Rodriguez.
Sister Marta eventually was able to return to work, but she too was left scarred.
"I'm more irritable, I'm not as patient as I was and I have problems remembering things," she said.
In a civil lawsuit against Torres, a jury awarded the sisters more than $31 million dollars in damages. The insurance company, which must pay the award, is expected to appeal, which could drag out the case another two years.
"If I could I would give it all back just so that life could be back to normal how it used to be," said Marta Perez.
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