GILBERT, Ariz. — >>Editor's Note: The above video is from a previously aired broadcast.
Caroline Patten, the fiance of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb's son Cooper, passed away after a week in the hospital following the deadly crash that killed Cooper Lamb and the couple's infant daughter Elaine.
Sheriff Mark Lamb shared Caroline's obituary to Facebook Saturday morning, confirming that she passed away Friday night.
Gilbert police say that the crash happened around 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 when a truck driven by 21-year-old Brian Torres was traveling westbound when it T-boned Patten's car as she turned northbound from Elliot Road onto Cole Drive.
Police say that 22-year-old Cooper Lamb and his young daughter Elaine died on the scene. Patten, who was driving, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
She died Friday night, family confirmed.
Torres was not injured but was arrested for possible impairment, police say. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.
Deaths on Arizona roads
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths
ADOT offers driving tips on its website to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here.