Branch enters guilty plea

Published 5:18 pm Wednesday, October 4, 2017

A 23-year-old Burkeville man pled guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence (DUI) on Wednesday in connection to a crash that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Shelly Warner, according to the Buckingham County Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

Torrey Jamal Branch

Torrey Jamal Branch, in addition to involuntary DUI manslaughter, pled guilty to DUI, reckless driving, victim permanently injured; possession of marijuana; DUI third or subsequent offense and driving after forfeiting license.

He was indicted in Buckingham Circuit Court on eight charges in April, including involuntary DUI manslaughter; reckless driving, endangering life, limb or property; possession of marijuana; failure to drive on right side of the road; driving with a revoked license; third or subsequent DUI; and DUI, reckless driving, victim permanently injured.

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The accident the charges stem from occurred Nov. 26 less than one mile south of Route 630, Red Road, in Buckingham.

The fatal accident that claimed the life of Shelly also seriously injured her husband Jessy Warner. Their 9-month-old son, Timothy, was in the vehicle as well.

Shelly died at the scene of the crash on Route 15 in Buckingham, less than one mile south of Route 630, in the early-morning collision, according to State Police.

“A 2008 Chevrolet Impala was traveling north on Route 15, when it crossed the centerline into the southbound lane and struck head-on a 2000 Buick LeSabre,” Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Corinne Geller said in an earlier release.

Branch was transported to U.Va. Hospital in Charlottesville for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Branch will be sentenced in Buckingham Circuit Court on Jan. 4.

His continued charges — which include reckless driving, endangering life, limb or property; failure to drive on the right side of the road and drive without license second offense — will also be concluded on that date, according to court officials.