A 19-year-old man is in custody after a devastating crash in Las Vegas left two people dead and several injured. Jose Gutierrez faces four counts of reckless driving after allegedly speeding through a red light, triggering a 12-vehicle collision on North Jones Boulevard Tuesday afternoon. The incident raises serious questions about repeat offenses and the consequences of reckless behavior on public roads.
The Crash and Casualties
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Gutierrez’s Infiniti G37 collided with multiple vehicles stopped at a red light. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene: 20-year-old passenger Adilene Duran Rincon and 38-year-old motorist Edward Garcia. Several others were rushed to local hospitals, including one in critical condition and another with a brain bleed. In total, 18 people—ranging in age from 5 to 75—were affected by the crash, which shut down the intersection for 12 hours.
Witness Floyd Hilliard estimated Gutierrez was traveling at least 80 miles per hour just before the impact. “He had to be going at least 80 miles per hour,” Hilliard said. “A couple of people were ejected from their cars…to get out of the car and see people on the ground, it was scary.” Surveillance footage corroborates witness accounts of excessive speed.
Prior Offense History
This incident is not Gutierrez’s first encounter with the law. Court records reveal he pleaded guilty in June to a misdemeanor charge of resisting a public officer. During a previous incident, he allegedly threatened law enforcement with violence, saying, “I’ll kill you,” and “I’ll shoot you” during a battery call. His suspended jail sentence from that conviction raises questions about the effectiveness of current sentencing policies for repeat offenders.
Investigation and Charges
Gutierrez was booked in absentia on four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether substance use played a role. The reckless nature of the crash underscores the deadly consequences of speeding and irresponsible driving.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and a more robust system for addressing repeat offenders before they endanger public safety.
