A teen is facing murder charges after allegedly speeding down a Las Vegas street and causing a 12-vehicle accident on Nov. 18 that claimed two lives, including his reportedly pregnant girlfriend.
Last Thursday, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Northwest Area Command announced that 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez was facing two counts of open murder, one count of attempted murder and one could of battery with use of a deadly weapon. As of that time, he was receiving continuous care at University Medical Center Southern Nevada (UMC) and under LVMPD custody.
KSNV reported last Friday that Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson had accused Gutierrez of “intentionally crashing into several cars stopped at a red light,” prompting the crash. He also said that investigators do not believe the teen was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Therefore, we believe based on all of the evidence to date, including a very descriptive video, that his actions were intentional, which gives rise to a charge of murder,” Wolfson explained to reporters.
However, “a crime scene analyst also found a ‘marijuana vape pen’ in his pocket, and officers said he appeared to have bloodshot and watery eyes, leading LVMPD to suspect impairment,” KSNV said.
According to an initial press release about the crash, an Infiniti G37 (driven by Gutierrez) collided with the vehicles while traveling on W. Cheyenne Avenue approaching N. Jones Boulevard at a “high rate of speed” at around 3:30 p.m. last Tuesday. Arrest records cited by KSNV indicate he was driving at 100 mph on a stretch of roadway with a 45-mph speed limit.
“Arriving medical personnel began triaging the injured people involved in the collision and determined the passenger of the Infiniti and a driver from another vehicle were beyond medical resuscitation and were pronounced deceased at the collision scene,” said the LVMPD. “Multiple other people involved in the collision were transported to UMC Trauma for advanced medical intervention, with one person remaining in life-threatening condition and one person remaining in serious condition.”
KSNV identified Gutierrez’s passenger as 20-year-old Adilene Duran Rincon. She was reportedly the teen’s girlfriend and was pregnant at the time of the crash.
“On Sunday, the family of Duran Rincon held a fundraiser to help with funeral expenses for the woman, who was also said to be pregnant,” KSNV reported. It went on to say that family and friends organized a food sale to help her family and that dozens attended the event.
Another driver involved, 38-year-old Edward Garcia, died in the crash and others sustained serious or life-threatening injuries. Gutierrez himself needed “advanced medical intervention,” police said. This incident is still under investigation.
Authorities have asked the public, especially those who live in the area where the crash occurred, to check their security cameras for footage showing the silver 2011 Infiniti.
“Even a few seconds of video may help. If you witnessed the vehicle prior to the crash, we need to speak with you,” they said. Authorities are also accepting information through the Collision Investigation Section at 702-828-3595 and through Crime Stoppers anonymously at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.
Wolfson said investigators are still looking into a potential motive. He said he believes the teen had a clear view of traffic as he approached the red light.
“All indications are that there was no braking before the collision, and that by itself gives rise to a degree of intentional conduct,” the DA said.