California judge Maria Torres charged with manslaughter after cyclist's death

A California judge has been charged with manslaughter after she rear‑ended a bicyclist in a fatal crash on a rural county road last year. The indictment was filed by the state Attorney General’s office on Tuesday, naming the judge, Maria Torres, a 12‑year veteran of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. The fatal collision occurred on July 15, 2023, when Torres was driving her Subaru down Highway 1 near Morro Bay and struck a 28‑year‑old cyclist, Carlos Ramirez, who was riding a pink bicycle. Ramirez died at the scene, and the coroner’s report lists the cause of death as traumatic brain injury.

The case is unusual because it involves a sitting judge facing a homicide charge, a rare event in California’s judiciary. Torres has never faced disciplinary action before, and she has been praised for her swift rulings and community outreach. The incident raises questions about how the legal system treats its own members when they break the law. The Attorney General’s office said the investigation found evidence that Torres was driving at a speed that exceeded the posted limit and that she failed to see the cyclist, violating California’s “reasonable care” standard for drivers. The indictment also alleges that Torres was texting or otherwise distracted at the time of the crash.

The crash was recorded by a traffic camera that showed the Subaru’s rear bumper hitting the cyclist’s bicycle, causing the rider to be thrown into the road. Ramirez’s family has filed a civil suit seeking damages, and the state attorney’s office is pursuing criminal charges that could carry up to 12 years in prison. Torres was arrested on the same day the indictment was filed and was released on $200,000 bail. She has denied the charges and said she will cooperate with the investigation. The Superior Court has placed her on administrative leave while the case proceeds.

The case will be heard in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, where Torres herself once served. If convicted, she could be suspended or removed from the bench, and her law license could be revoked. The trial is expected to begin in early 2025, and the outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle misconduct by judges. The incident also highlights ongoing concerns about cyclist safety on rural highways, prompting local officials to consider additional protective measures. The community and legal circles alike are watching closely, as the case tests the balance between accountability and the special status of those who enforce the law.