Las Vegas, NV – A Las Vegas judge has denied bail for 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez, the man accused of deliberately causing a massive 12-car crash that killed two people, including his pregnant girlfriend, last week. The decision came during Gutierrez’s initial court appearance on Tuesday, where he faced ten felony charges tied to the devastating collision.
Justice Court Judge Joe Bonaventure ruled that Gutierrez would remain behind bars without bail, marking the second time a judge has refused bond in the case. During a probable cause hearing last week, a different judge also declined to set bail due to the severity of the allegations.
Crash That Killed Pregnant Girlfriend and Another Driver
Investigators say the deadly crash occurred on Tuesday, November 18, at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and Jones Boulevard. According to police reports, Gutierrez allegedly intentionally accelerated his vehicle toward a line of cars stopped at a red light.
His passenger, 20-year-old Adilene Duran Rincon, was killed in the violent crash. Another victim, 38-year-old Edward Garcia, also died. Authorities confirmed that Duran Rincon was three months pregnant at the time.
Updated court documents obtained by 8 News Now Investigators reveal that prosecutors believe Gutierrez accelerated deliberately to cause the crash — and that he was attempting to kill his girlfriend.
Upgraded Charges Include Murder and Attempted Murder
Last week, prosecutors escalated the charges against Gutierrez, adding:
- Two counts of open murder
- One count of attempted murder
- Battery with the use of a deadly weapon
These upgraded charges were added to the numerous felonies already filed. Officials emphasized that it is extremely rare for judges to set bail for defendants charged with open murder — one of Nevada’s most serious criminal charges.
Car Data Shows High Speed Before Impact
Newly released investigative documents describe the moments before the crash. According to police, Gutierrez’s vehicle was traveling at 71 mph “in a nearly straight line” toward a fully stopped line of cars. Investigators say the car’s data recorder showed that Gutierrez accelerated rapidly from 9 mph within five seconds, indicating a deliberate and forceful push toward impact.
Police also noted that if Gutierrez had been suffering a medical emergency, such as a seizure — as he later claimed — the vehicle would “have slowed or decreased speed” or drifted rather than continuing at high speed into the intersection.
Defense Raises Medical Concerns
Gutierrez’s attorney, Thomas Moskal, disputes the prosecution’s claims. In a statement, Moskal argued that Gutierrez has “a documented history of seizures,” and that the District Attorney’s Office must thoroughly investigate his medical background before pursuing what he described as a “cold, calculated premeditated murder” theory.
“My office is in the process of gathering medical records,” Moskal said, emphasizing that Gutierrez had allegedly never received proper treatment for his seizures.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Judge Bonaventure scheduled Gutierrez’s preliminary hearing for December 9. However, legal experts note that prosecutors often take high-profile cases like this to a grand jury, which would bypass the preliminary hearing altogether and move the case directly toward potential indictment.
The deadly crash continues to draw widespread attention across Las Vegas, with many residents shaken by the horrific details and the possibility that the act may have been intentional.
Should defendants accused of open murder in deadly crash cases ever be granted bail? Share your thoughts in the comments — your voice matters!
