Fiancee of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb's son dies after last week's crash in Gilbert

GILBERT, AZ — Caroline Patten, the fiancee of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb's son Cooper, has died after a car crash that killed Cooper and Sheriff Lamb's grandchild.

In a video posted to Facebook, Mark confirmed that Patten died Friday night.

Visitation and service will be held for Patten on December 29 and 30, respectively. Both are open to the public.

The son of Sheriff Mark Lamb and his grandchild were killed in a crash in Gilbert on December 16th, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office confirmed to ABC15.

Video in the player above is original ABC15 coverage of the crash, prior to identification of those involved.

Cooper Lamb and his infant child were inside a passenger car that was turning left when a pickup truck hit the car.

"Please keep the families in your prayers and respect their privacy at this time," the Pinal County Sheriff's Office tweeted.

"We are truly humbled and touched by the outpouring of love from our Family and Friends/Community. We cannot thank you enough. Our hearts are broken but we are comforted in your love and the love of God and Jesus Christ," said Sheriff Lamb on Facebook. "We are praying for our precious Caroline who is still in critical condition. We would also like to express our gratitude for those citizens and first responders who rendered air to our son Cooper and our granddaughter. God Bless you all!"

The driver of the passenger car was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Cooper was 22 years old, according to Gilbert police.

Police say the pickup driver was not hurt in the crash but was arrested on suspicion of impairment. He has been identified by Gilbert PD as 21-year-old Brian Torres. Charges were filed against him on February 24.

When ABC15 arrived at the scene near Recker and Elliot roads, it was apparent shockwaves were still flowing throughout the community.

Neighbors were really at a loss for words that something so tragic would happen during the holidays.

"Oh my gosh. The truck just slid in and I knew there was going to be accidents here," Jason Vaught could be heard saying in a video his surveillance camera recorded.

In the footage shared with ABC15, the Vaught family could be seen reacting to what they heard moments before this video was captured.

"I thought it was for sure a bookcase that fell over. It was just so loud and almost the whole block came out to see it. That's how loud it was," Vaught added.

Jason Vaught and his family could be seen running out to see a horrific crash.

While outside they noticed neighbors were already springing into action.

"I saw one of them doing mouth-to-mouth on the baby and the other one was doing compressions on the passenger," Vaught told ABC15. "It's just painful to watch. Especially because there were some people that lost their lives."

It was another quiet night Saturday near Elliot Road and Cole drive, the intersection where the crash happened. Many were too emotional to speak, just thinking about the lives that were lost there.

Flowers, stuffed animals, and candles were among the items people left behind to honor Cooper and his baby girl.

"Morrison Ranch is a really tight community and every time there's a loss it affects everybody," said Christa Nail. Nail and her kids didn't know Cooper or his daughter, but they wanted to pay their respects.

"Got some poinsettias and a card. We wrote some notes to the family. Hopefully they get it," she told ABC15.

Nail says Friday is a day she will never forget.

"We saw bodies on the ground, it's terrible. I can't even imagine losing a child. And to have two from a family, and especially around Christmas, it's terrible," she said.

All afternoon Saturday, people stopped by the memorial, leaving stuffed animals, flowers and even letters to honor father and daughter.

"Just to show that we care and the community cares," said Nail.

While ABC15 was at the intersection, a woman who knows the family tied ribbons to a tree.

A white one, a blue one and a pink one.

She said the white one represents peace. Peace, she hopes the family find in this difficult time. The blue one is in honor of Cooper. The pink one is for his little girl.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

As of Monday PCSO officials say Cooper Lamb's fiance, Caroline remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Memorial services have not been announced as of yet.

Various Arizona public officials reacted Saturday.

Abe Hamadeh:

Kyrsten Sinema:

"I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of this devastating loss to Sheriff Lamb's family. All of Arizona is sending our love, strength, and condolences to them in this unimaginable time."

Doug Ducey:

"This is heartbreaking. Something no parent should go through. My prayers go to Sheriff Lamb, his wife Janel and their family. May their loved ones rest in peace."

Governor-Elect Katie Hobbs:

County Attorney Rachel Mitchell:

Arizona House Democrats:

Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson: