Las Vegas Teen Going 100 MPH ‘Intentionally’ Causes 12-Car Crash, Killing Pregnant Girlfriend and Another Driver: Prosecutors
LAS VEGAS — Authorities say a 19-year-old Nevada driver deliberately barreled into cars stopped at a red light while going 100 mph, causing a devastating 12-car crash that killed his pregnant girlfriend and another man.
Investigators Say Crash Was Deliberate: ‘There Was No Braking’
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said evidence shows Jose Gutierrez, 19, was not impaired and did not attempt to slow his silver Infiniti G37 before smashing into the vehicles at the intersection of West Cheyenne Avenue and North Jones Boulevard.
“All indications are that there was no braking before the collision,” Wolfson said.
“His actions were intentional.”
The crash happened Tuesday afternoon and instantly turned the intersection into a scene of twisted steel, fire, and smoke.
Pregnant Girlfriend and Another Driver Killed Instantly
Gutierrez was driving with his pregnant girlfriend, Adilene Rincon, 20, in the passenger seat. She died from her injuries shortly after the crash.
Another driver, 38-year-old Edward Garcia, was killed on impact.
Several others were rushed to UMC Trauma, including one victim in critical condition and another in serious condition.
Police found a marijuana vape in Gutierrez’s pocket but say toxicology tests show he was not impaired.
Teen Now Faces Murder Charges After Earlier Reckless Incidents
Gutierrez was originally charged with reckless driving causing death. But after reviewing surveillance video and crash data, prosecutors upgraded charges to:
- Open Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Battery with a Deadly Weapon
Court records show Gutierrez has a troubling history with police.
In October, he was cited for driving 52 mph in a 35 zone.
In April, he was arrested for allegedly threatening an officer who responded to a domestic incident.
According to court documents, the teen told the officer:
“I’ll f—ing shoot you. I’ll kill you.”
Chaos at the Intersection: Witnesses Describe Full Impact
Witnesses told investigators the Infiniti never slowed before piling into the line of stopped cars.
“It looked like an explosion. Cars flew everywhere. There was screaming — then silence,” one witness told local reporters.
Damage to the vehicles spanned multiple lanes as debris scattered across the roadway.
Gutierrez Appears in Court as Community Demands Answers
Gutierrez made a brief court appearance Friday, where his bail hearing was postponed. He is scheduled for arraignment on January 6.
The Rincon family has launched a fundraiser in memory of Adilene, who was several months pregnant.
Police described the crash as one of the most violent multi-car collisions the city has seen in years.
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