VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER UPDATED TM/JG

A 37-YEAR-OLD SANTA CRUZ MAN FACES VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES AFTER STRIKING AND KILLING A PEDESTRIAN IN SOQUEL THURSDAY AFTERNOON. DARREN PAUL BROWN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT SOQUEL DRIVE AND MAIN STREET ABOUT 2 P.M. AFTER HITTING A 47-OLD WATSONVILLE WOMAN. THE VICTIM, EVANGELINA TORRES, HAD JUST LEFT AN APPOINTMENT AT HER ONCOLOGIST?S OFFICE WHERE SHE HAD RECENTLY BEEN TREATED FOR BREAST CANCER. SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. BROWN WAS BOOKED INTO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER. IT IS SUSPECTED HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF VICODIN, ALTHOUGH A TOXICOLOGY REPORT IS PENDING. HE WAS FREED THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER POSTING 50 THOUSAND DOLLAR BAIL.