A Nevada teenager accused of barreling down a 45 mph road at roughly 100 mph is now facing murder charges after authorities say he intentionally slammed his Infiniti into a line of cars stopped at a red light, triggering a 12-vehicle crash that killed his pregnant girlfriend and another driver.
“He was not impaired by alcohol or drugs,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told reporters on Friday about 19-year-old suspect Jose Gutierrez, according to local NBC affiliate KSNV.
“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 said. “All indications are that there was no braking before the collision, and that by itself gives rise to a degree of intentional conduct.”
Gutierrez appeared in court Friday, where a judge postponed his bail hearing after a brief proceeding, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He is accused of causing the multi-car pileup at the intersection of West Cheyenne Avenue and North Jones Boulevard last Tuesday.
Police say Gutierrez was driving a silver 2011 Infiniti G37 with his 20-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Adilene Rincon, in the passenger seat when he crashed into several vehicles stopped at a red light. Another driver, identified as 38-year-old Edward Garcia, died at the scene.
“Several others were transported to UMC Trauma, including one person in life-threatening condition and another in serious condition,” Las Vegas Metro Police said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Officers later found a marijuana vape in one of Gutierrez’s pockets, but investigators say toxicology results showed he was not impaired at the time of the crash. He was initially charged with four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, but prosecutors have since upgraded the charges to open murder, attempted murder and battery with use of a deadly weapon.
Court records obtained by local ABC affiliate KTNV indicate that Gutierrez was cited for speeding in October after allegedly driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was also arrested in April in connection with an incident involving a police officer who responded to a report from a woman claiming Gutierrez had hit her.
“What’s up foo,” Gutierrez allegedly told the officer.
“I’ll f—ing shoot you,” he said, according to court documents. “I’ll kill you.”
Gutierrez is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 6 for his arraignment.
