A 19-year-old Las Vegas man, identified as Jose Gutierrez, is facing reckless driving charges after a high-speed collision resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including his own passenger, and injuries to several others. The crash, which involved 12 vehicles, took place on the afternoon of last Tuesday at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and Jones Boulevard, as reported by Hoodline.
According to 8 News Now, police allege Gutierrez had been driving upwards of 100 mph and was carrying a marijuana vape pen at the time of the crash. Investigators have yet to conclusively rule out impairment as a factor in the incident. Gutierrez, who has been charged with four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, was released after posting standard bail, effectively not required to immediately see a judge.
Adilene Duran Rincon, 20, and Edward Garcia, 38, were the two fatalities confirmed by the Clark County coroner’s office. The tragic incident has prompted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to remind drivers to "slow down, stay alert, and drive responsibly," as detailed by Hoodline. Four others were hospitalized with injuries, as informed by KTNV.
This was not Gutierrez's first involvement in a traffic collision. He had previously collided with an elderly woman's car after reportedly running a stop sign just months prior, on September 24. The woman's son pleaded with Gutierrez to "drive safe from here on because the next time it could really affect somebody," as he recounted in an interview with KTNV.
LVMPD is not only continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fatal collision but is also reaching out to the community, asking witnesses or anyone with additional information to come forward. A photo of a vehicle similar to the silver-colored Infiniti coupe driven by Gutierrez has been shared by the police, as part of their appeal to the public, which was reported by KTNV. Gutierrez is due to appear in court as the legal process moves forward.
