Father of Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested as Accessory

Bradenton Police Department (BPD) has taken the father of a hit-and-run suspect into custody following a fatal accident that occurred on Saturday night. Jose Torres, 59, has been charged with accessory after the fact, a felony offense. Authorities determined that Torres had knowledge of his son Julio Torres' involvement in the incident and provided assistance to help him evade law enforcement.

Julio Torres remains at large, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are actively working to locate him. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m., when Torres was reportedly speeding northbound on 15th Street West. He lost control of his vehicle, which struck a pole before fatally hitting 26-year-old Clarence Brooks, who was sitting or sleeping near the sidewalk. Following the crash, Torres fled the scene before authorities arrived.

An arrest warrant was issued for Julio Torres the following day, charging him with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving with a suspended license. Police continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that could aid in locating the suspect.

Anyone with details about the case is encouraged to contact the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com, with a potential reward of up to $3,000 available for information leading to an arrest.