Suspect arrested for fleeing deadly crash, community urges safety

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The 21-year-old that was arrested and accused of killing a couple who were riding on a motorcycle along Loop 375 in El Paso's Lower Valley reportedly admitted to drinking two Michelob Ultra beers before the deadly crash. The arrest affidavit for David McCall accused him of fleeing the crash site on Sunday, July 12. The crash resulted in the death of Alfredo De La Torre, 44, and Miriam De La Torre, 42. According to court documents, McCall was driving a 2025 Kia Forte westbound on Loop 375 when he failed to control the speed of the vehicle and collided with a motorcycle carrying Alfredo De La Torre and passenger Miriam De La Torre. Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre were ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene after suffering serious bodily injuries, officials said. After the crash, McCall fled the scene on foot and failed to report the collision. An arrest affidavit stated that Damian De La Torre, the son of the crash victims, was riding behind his parents on Loop 375 when he observed McCall traveling at a high rate of speed and actively changing lanes. Damian stated the Kia McCall was driving lost control and collided with the motorcycle that his parents were driving. Witnesses told officers they observed a vehicle collide with the right cement barrier. They pulled over and called 911. One of the witnesses stated she saw McCall trying to leave the scene, driving the Kia, until the vehicle stopped along the right shoulder of the highway. She then reported seeing McCall outside the Kia and flee on foot. Another witness who arrived after the crash said he saw McCall exit the disabled Kia from the driver's side door and ran away. The witness began to chase McCall through an open field, down a canal, and then lost sight of him when he jumped over a wall into the backyard of a house. McCall left behind a shoe. Officers searched the area and found McCall wearing a white shirt, black pants, and missing a shoe. McCall was taken into custody in the front yard of a house at 598 River Valley Street. El Paso Police DEpartment's Special Traffic Investigators interviewed McCall, who identified himself as the driver of the Kia. He stated he did not remember how the crash happened. McCall told authorities he was driving his girlfriend's Kia and was the only person in the vehicle. He stated that he recalled a car switching lanes in front of him before the crash and panicked, ran towards houses, and called his brother after the collision. He admitted to drinking two Michelob Ultra beers at his cousin's house before driving. McCall told police he did not call 911 to report the incident or check on the others involved in the crash. Mourners held a vigil at the crash site on Monday, July 13, for Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre. Community members gathered, honoring the victims and raised awareness about road safety, particularly for motorcyclists. KTSM 9 News spoke to some of those who attended. Angel, a friend of Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre's son, expressed his frustration. "There's so many biker deaths every day, it's truly devastating that people don't understand that we're there on the road as well," he said. "I just think people need to be more aware, I want El Paso to be the safest city for motorcycles." A member of a motorcycle club named SinLand El Paso shared some of his own experience riding in El Paso. "Since I've become a biker, I've had a lot of close calls," he said. "It's crazy to think how quickly things like this can happen." Community members stressed the importance of safety on the road. "Our message is just safety," a biker said. "Keep your eyes open, watch out for us, watch out for the riders because it only takes a split second and then a life is lost forever." "We want to do our part to bring safety to the roads, and we're just asking for the community to do their part as well." A fundraiser for the family has been set up.