Left inset: Jose Gutierrez in court (KTNV/YouTube). Right inset: Adilene Rincon (GoFundMe). Background: The scene of the crash that Jose Gutierrez is accused of intentionally causing, which left his pregnant girlfriend Adilene Rincon dead (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department).
In a harrowing incident in Nevada, a teenager’s reckless driving led to a catastrophic 12-car collision, tragically resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including his pregnant girlfriend. The teenager, identified as 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez, was reportedly driving at a staggering 100 mph in a 45 mph zone when he collided with vehicles halted at a red light, according to police reports.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated on Friday that despite the severity of the crash, Gutierrez was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. Speaking to the press, as reported by local NBC affiliate KSNV, Wolfson highlighted the evidence, including a detailed video, suggesting that Gutierrez’s actions were deliberate. “The lack of any braking prior to the collision suggests intentional conduct,” he noted, leading to murder charges being filed.
The crash, which occurred at the intersection of West Cheyenne Avenue and North Jones Boulevard, claimed the lives of 20-year-old Adilene Rincon, Gutierrez’s girlfriend, and 38-year-old Edward Garcia, another driver who succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Several others involved in the collision were transported to UMC Trauma, with police reporting one person in life-threatening condition and another seriously injured.
Following a brief court appearance on Friday, Gutierrez’s bail hearing was postponed, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Authorities allege that Gutierrez, driving a silver 2011 Infiniti G37, initiated the crash without any attempt to slow down, reinforcing the charge of intentional harm.
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department provided updates on the incident through a Facebook post, underscoring the ongoing investigation and the severe consequences of such reckless driving.
“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.
Investigators found a marijuana vape in one of Gutierrez”s pockets after the crash, but authorities say he was not impaired at the time of the incident. Gutierrez was initially charged with four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm before his charges were upgraded to open murder, attempted murder and battery with use of a deadly weapon.
Court records obtained by local ABC affiliate KTNV show that Gutierrez was cited for speeding in October after police caught him going 52 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was also arrested in April for intimidating a police officer who responded to a report of a woman claiming she was hit by Gutierrez.
“What’s up foo,” Gutierrez allegedly told the cop.
“I’ll f—ing shoot you,” he said, according to court documents. “I’ll kill you.”
Gutierrez is due back in court on Jan. 6 for his arraignment.
