She died in the car, with her "sweetheart," on their way to work: Family members of woman killed in crash speak out

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Family members of a 27-year-old woman killed in a crash last week are now speaking out. 27-year-old Jennifer Camacho-Torres of Milwaukee was killed in a violent crash that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 30th -- near 11th and Mitchell. Now, we are learning more about who she was, and how much she'll be missed.

Jennifer Camacho-Torres was pronounced dead at the scene -- after the crash that occurred around 3:15 a.m. on July 30th near 11th and Mitchell.



Police say a 30-year-old Milwaukee man was driving a car northbound on S. 11th Street when he failed to stop for a red traffic signal at W. Mitchell.

Officials say he slammed into an eastbound car.

After the initial collision, the man who caused the wreck then collided with a building on the northeast corner of 11th and Mitchell. The 30-year-old driver suffered significant injuries as a result the crash and was taken to the hospital.

The second vehicle was driven by a 28-year-old Milwaukee man who also suffered significant injuries.

Camacho-Torres was a passenger in that vehicle. The Medical Examiner's Office determined she died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries.

The Medical Examiner says Camacho-Torres' sister-in-law said the driver of the vehicle was Camacho-Torres' husband, though they were not legally married. They have two children together -- ages nine and two.

The Medical Examiner's Office says Camacho-Torres' husband was taken to the hospital following the crash -- with a skull fracture.

Camacho-Torres' family members say she and Ramon Rodriguez-Rodriguez knew they were meant for each other, even at a young age.

"They were going to get married," Camacho-Torres' sister-in-law Maryann Camacho said.

Family members say they got together when Camacho-Torres was 16, and had been together for more than a decade -- having two children together.

"She wanted the best for her kids and always posted on Facebook -- 'going to work for my kids, going to work for my kids, my kids need the best,'" Maryann Camacho said.

Maryann Camacho says Camacho-Torres and Rodriguez-Rodriguez were headed to work at the time of the crash.

"Her and her husband worked at the same place -- at Waste Management. They worked there and they had first shift so their shift started at 4:00," Maryann Camacho said.

Maryann Camacho says they were headed to pick up two more co-workers when the crash happened.

"When they were passing the light to turn, going down Mitchell Street -- that's when the other car impacted them," Maryann Camacho said.

The impact destroyed both cars -- sending debris around the intersection.

The car that ran the red light then smashed into a building.

Following the crash that took her life, Camacho-Torres' family is now huddled in grief, trying to process what life will be like without her.

"Unexplainable. We couldn't even talk to each other. All we did was cry and mourned and hugged each other," Maryann Camacho said.

Camacho-Torres' parents don't speak English. The family is from Puerto Rico -- but Maryann Camacho translated what they say the world will miss the most about their daughter.

"That she was a very good daughter, a good mother," Camacho-Torres' parents said.

Maryann Camacho says Camacho-Torres' husband-to-be has been moved out of the ICU.

A fund to help the family has been established -- and donations are being accepted at any Tri City National Bank location.

Police said last week they would refer this case to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office -- for possible charges against the 30-year-old driver.

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