Teenager Accused of Intentional 100mph Crash That Killed Two
A 19-year-old Las Vegas man faces murder charges after allegedly driving his car at 100 miles per hour into a line of stationary vehicles, killing his pregnant girlfriend and another motorist in what police describe as an intentional act.
The devastating collision occurred at approximately 3:30 pm last Tuesday at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and Jones Boulevard. According to Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, the evidence clearly shows that Jose Gutierrez made no attempt to brake before slamming his silver Infiniti G37 into approximately a dozen cars waiting at a red light.
Deliberate Actions and Tragic Consequences
Wolfson stated that video evidence and other findings led prosecutors to believe Gutierrez's actions were deliberate. '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,' he explained.
The crash claimed the lives of two people. Adilene Duran Rincon, 20, who was Gutierrez's passenger and pregnant according to a GoFundMe page set up by her family, died in the impact. Edward Garcia, 38, who was sitting in one of the stopped vehicles, was also pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim sustained life-threatening injuries.
Traffic camera footage captured the horrifying moment the Infiniti, travelling at triple-digit speeds in a 45 mph zone, ploughed into the queue of cars. The force of the impact caused one vehicle to spin out and burst into flames, skidding through the intersection.
A History of Reckless Behaviour
Despite a marijuana vape pen being found in his clothing and officers noting his 'bloodshot and watery' eyes, Gutierrez was not deemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. This lack of impairment is what prompted prosecutors to elevate the charges to two counts of open murder, attempted murder, and battery with a deadly weapon.
This was not Gutierrez's first encounter with law enforcement for dangerous conduct. His troubling driving record includes:
- A citation last month for driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone in the same Infiniti.
- Ignoring a stop sign and colliding with an elderly woman in September.
- An arrest in April after allegedly threatening a police officer with statements like 'I'll f***ing shoot you' and 'I'll kill you.'
Police confirmed the vehicle involved in the fatal crash belonged to Rincon's mother. Following the incident, Gutierrez gave conflicting accounts to hospital staff, initially acknowledging he was the driver, then denying it, before finally admitting it again.
Gutierrez was initially freed on bail when facing lesser reckless-driving charges, but was re-arrested and is now being held without bail after the murder charges were filed. His arraignment is scheduled for January 6.
