by Large-Scale Fatal Accident
A 19-year-old driver is under investigation on suspicion of involvement in a large-scale traffic accident involving 12 vehicles that occurred in Las Vegas at the beginning of the week. As a result of the incident, two people died, and several others were injured.
Driver’s Background
Authorities reported that the driver was identified as Jose Gutierrez, who now faces four counts of reckless driving. This event occurred just months after Gutierrez had a previous prison sentence for a crime of resisting an officer conditionally suspended.
Circumstances of the Tragedy
Around 3:30 PM on Tuesday, an Infiniti G37 driven by Gutierrez collided with several vehicles stopped at a red light on North Jones Boulevard. His passenger, 20-year-old Adilene Duran Rincon, was pronounced dead at the scene, as was another driver, 38-year-old Edward Garcia.
Consequences for the Victims
According to authorities, several other people were taken to the hospital with injuries, including one person in critical condition, while another suffered a minor brain hemorrhage and remained in the hospital overnight.
Investigation of the Causes
After reviewing surveillance video near the scene and speaking with witnesses, police believe the 19-year-old driver was speeding on Cheyenne Avenue immediately before the crash.
Scale of the Tragedy
In total, the accident affected 18 people aged 5 to 75. The intersection had to be closed for 12 hours while local services dealt with the aftermath of the incident.
Witness Testimony and Legal Consequences
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal report, Gutierrez was arrested in absentia on four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or serious bodily harm. One witness, Floyd Hilliard, stated that he estimated the car’s speed at approximately 80 miles per hour.
I didn’t see the driver approaching. He must have been going at least 80 miles per hour. Several people were thrown from their cars. That’s how fast he was going. I didn’t understand what was happening. And then, getting out of the car and seeing people on the ground, it became scary.
Previous Offenses
Court documents indicate that in June, Gutierrez pleaded guilty to a felony count of resisting a public officer. This plea stemmed from a previous incident during which he allegedly made verbal threats such as “I will kill you” and “I will shoot you” to an officer who responded to a call about a fight.
Additional Context
This tragedy serves as another reminder of the dangers of speeding in urban areas, especially near intersections with pedestrians and other vehicles. The driver’s history of offenses raises questions about the effectiveness of the system for preventing repeat offenses among young drivers. Local residents express concern about road safety in the city, calling for enhanced traffic law enforcement and checks on drivers with problematic histories.
