19-Year-Old Accused of Intentionally Causing Fatal 12-Car Collision; Charges Upgraded to Open Murder
A devastating and deeply disturbing development has emerged following Tuesday’s massive 12-car collision, which claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and another driver. Newly obtained documents reviewed by the 8 News Now Investigators reveal that the accused, 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez, was allegedly traveling at 71 miles per hour and intentionally caused the violent crash that left families shattered and a community searching for answers.
According to investigators, Gutierrez—who was behind the wheel with his pregnant girlfriend in the vehicle—accelerated rapidly moments before the crash. Police allege that his actions were deliberate, turning what originally appeared to be a reckless-driving incident into what prosecutors now say was an intentional assault on the roadway.
The collision unfolded with catastrophic consequences. In just seconds, 12 vehicles were impacted, causing chaos, injuries, and irreversible loss. Gutierrez’s pregnant girlfriend, who trusted him with her safety, tragically lost her life in the crash. Another innocent driver, whose only mistake was being on the same road at the wrong time, was also killed. Multiple others were injured, their lives changed in ways that may take years to heal—if healing is even possible.
Initially, Gutierrez faced four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, charges that reflected the severity of the crash’s aftermath. But as investigators continued to review surveillance footage, witness statements, and vehicle data, the case shifted dramatically. On Thursday, prosecutors upgraded the charges in a move that underscores their belief that the collision was not merely reckless, but intentional.
Gutierrez now faces:
- Two counts of open murder
- One count of attempted murder
- One count of battery with the use of a deadly weapon
These upgraded charges signal a significant escalation in legal consequences, as open murder allows prosecutors the flexibility to pursue a range of homicide charges—including first-degree murder—depending on what evidence is presented in court. The addition of attempted murder and battery with a deadly weapon further reflects the severity of the crash and the alleged intent behind it.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the full motive investigators believe was behind Gutierrez’s actions, but the information already released paints a chilling picture of a moment of extreme and deadly decision-making.
Families of the victims are now grappling with immeasurable grief. Loved ones of Gutierrez’s girlfriend must confront not only the loss of a young woman with her entire future ahead of her, but also the heartbreaking reality that her life—and her pregnancy—ended at the hands of someone she knew and trusted. The family of the second driver, taken so suddenly and violently, is enduring their own devastating loss.
For the survivors of the chain-reaction crash, physical injuries are only part of the toll. Many now carry emotional trauma, financial burdens, and uncertainty about their recovery. A split-second act of alleged intentional wrongdoing created a ripple effect that has altered countless lives.
As Gutierrez awaits further legal proceedings, prosecutors are preparing a case built on what they describe as clear evidence of intent. If convicted on the upgraded charges, the 19-year-old faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
This tragedy—shocking both for its scale and for the allegations of purposeful harm—serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be destroyed by one violent decision. As the case continues to unfold, families and community members remain desperate for answers, healing, and justice for the lives lost so senselessly.
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