Following an extensive cross-jurisdictional investigation into an August traffic accident that led to a homicide, an arrest has been made. On August 26, a three-vehicle accident on Highway 24 near Blue Gill Drive resulted in the death of Noel Gutierrez-Cano, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office confirmed that life-saving measures were attempted on the scene but were unsuccessful. The suspect, 26-year-old Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez, was later apprehended in Las Vegas, New Mexico, for an unrelated warrant on September 3.
El Paso County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the accident that occurred around 8:10 AM. Initially, the driver of the involved vehicle fled, leading to a significant investigatory effort that would eventually bring investigators to Vazquez. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, a traffic stop shortly after the incident played a critical role, with body-worn camera footage aiding identification of the fleeing passenger. Diaz Vazquez has since been charged with second-degree murder concerning Gutierrez-Cano's death.
In the wake of the arrest and charges, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal highlighted the collaborative effort behind the investigation, which spanned several agencies, including local police departments, federal partners at Homeland Security, US Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI. As obtained by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Roybal expressed his gratitude, noting, "This investigation reflects the strength of partnerships across state and federal jurisdictions."
Currently, Diaz Vazquez is held at the Doña Anna County Jail on a fugitive hold and a $500,000 bond. Extradition to El Paso County is in process. The Sheriff's unwavering stance is clear: "We will not tolerate crime, and we will hold offenders accountable, regardless of immigration status, if they choose to commit crimes in the Pikes Peak region," Roybal asserted, as per the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
