A 19-year-old Hispanic man in Nevada was accused of intentionally causing a multi-vehicle crash that left two people dead in Las Vegas, Nevada, including his pregnant girlfriend, local authorities reported. The crash occurred on November 18 and involved 12 vehicles. Clarke County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated that the evidence gathered so far indicates that Jose Gutierrez did not attempt to brake before crashing into a line of cars stopped at a traffic light. According to the prosecution, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 100 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone. “We believe, based on the evidence, including detailed video footage, that his actions were intentional,” said Wolfson, who explained that this led to the filing of murder charges. Two died at the scene. Gutierrez was driving a 2011 Infiniti G37 in which 20-year-old Adilene Duran Rincon, who was pregnant, was a passenger. The vehicle crashed into cars stopped at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and North Jones Boulevard, local station KSNV reported. Rincon and another driver, 38-year-old Edward Garcia, died at the scene. A third person was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. Preliminary results rule out intoxication. After the crash, police reported finding a marijuana vaporizer in Gutierrez's possession and noted that the young man had bloodshot eyes during his arrest. However, the district attorney confirmed that tests indicated he was not under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash. Based on this information, the initial charges of reckless driving were upgraded to murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon, the district attorney's office said.

History of Prior Incidents

Authorities indicated that this was not Gutierrez's first traffic incident. Court records show that in September he was involved in another collision when he allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. Additionally, last month he was reportedly ticketed for driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to KTNV.

In April,The young man was also arrested after an officer responded to a call from a woman who claimed to have been assaulted. According to the police report, Gutierrez allegedly threatened the officer during the procedure.

Gutierrez remains in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 6.