A Las Vegas judge has ruled that 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez must stand trial on murder charges stemming from a devastating 12-car crash that killed three people, including his pregnant girlfriend. Gutierrez is accused of driving more than 100 mph in a 45 mph zone before slamming into vehicles stopped at a red light.
Gutierrez has been charged with murder with a deadly weapon, reckless driving resulting in death, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, and battery. He remains jailed without bail as the case moves forward in Clark County.
Prosecutors Argue Crash Was Intentional
According to court documents, Gutierrez allegedly accelerated at full throttle for nearly a mile in a silver 2011 Infiniti G37 before driving straight into a line of vehicles without braking or swerving. Prosecutors say the evidence shows willfulness and intent, arguing that the teen deliberately aimed his vehicle at the stopped cars.
Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Portz told the court that intent can be inferred from the circumstances, stating that Gutierrez drove directly into the vehicles in a manner that demonstrated deliberation. Witnesses described the crash as resembling a deliberate attack rather than an accident, noting there were no attempts to avoid impact.
Authorities also stated that Gutierrez was not impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. The collision killed Adilene Rincon, 20, who was riding in Gutierrez’s vehicle, as well as Edward Garcia, 38, who died at the scene, and Vanessa Vasquez, 25, who later died from her injuries.
Defense Disputes Evidence of Intent
Gutierrez’s attorney, Thomas Moskal, argued that the state has not presented sufficient evidence to show willfulness, deliberation, or premeditation. He contended that speeding alone does not establish intent to commit murder and called the prosecution’s theory speculative.
Despite the defense’s arguments, District Judge Michelle Leavitt denied the motion to dismiss the murder charges, allowing the case to proceed toward trial. Gutierrez is scheduled to return to court on March 4 as the prosecution continues to pursue first-degree murder charges based on what they describe as deliberate and deadly conduct.
