A Canyon man previously accused in a fatal pedestrian crash has been re-indicted by a Randall County grand jury, bringing renewed attention to a case that has moved through multiple legal stages since 2024.
On Wednesday, the grand jury returned a new indictment against 28-year-old Ulise Isaac DeLao. He now faces one count of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and one count of manslaughter in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 27-year-old Brittany Torres.
The case stems from a May 27, 2024, incident in Canyon, Texas, where authorities say DeLao struck Torres with a pickup truck outside a residence in the 1900 block of 10th Avenue. Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly after 1 a.m. and found Torres critically injured. She was pronounced dead at the location.
According to investigative records, DeLao admitted during questioning that he ran over Torres. Court documents indicate the incident occurred while she was standing outside the vehicle. The circumstances leading up to the collision have been central to the evolving charges in the case.
DeLao was initially arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter. Prosecutors later pursued a more severe murder charge, though that effort did not ultimately stand. In August 2024, a grand jury declined to indict on the murder allegation and instead returned a manslaughter indictment, keeping the case active but at a reduced charge level.
After spending time in the Randall County Jail, DeLao was released on bond in October 2024. His bond amount was adjusted multiple times during pretrial proceedings and was ultimately set at $250,000. He remained out of custody under bond conditions until his most recent arrest following the re-indictment.
On Thursday, DeLao was booked back into the Randall County Jail after the grand jury’s latest decision. The trial tied to the original manslaughter charge had been scheduled for April 6, though the new indictment may affect future court scheduling and prosecution strategy.
Additional proceedings in the case have also addressed family-related legal matters. In November 2024, a judge ruled that DeLao would retain parental rights to the couple’s young child while the criminal case remains pending. The decision came despite efforts by Torres’ family to terminate those rights.
Authorities and court filings have also referenced video evidence reviewed during the investigation. Security footage reportedly shows interactions between DeLao and Torres earlier on the day of the incident, including moments where she is seen being moved from a vehicle. That evidence has been part of the broader factual record presented to the grand jury.
Brittany Torres was described by family members as a dedicated teacher and a loving mother. Her death has remained a central focus of the ongoing legal proceedings, which continue to develop as the case moves forward under the new indictment.
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