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Jessie Gutierrez, 20, was killed in a single vehicle accident in Cooke County, Texas. The accident happened on July 3, 2022, around 3:15 a.m., a few miles south of Gainesville. According to troopers, Gutierrez was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on FM 372. According to reports, he was driving at an unsafe speed and when the road curved, he overcorrected and left the road. At that point, the vehicle began to roll, and Gutierrez was ejected. Meador Funeral Home transported him to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office after officials arrived on the scene. His blood had a BAC of 0.185 when tested.
COMMENTARY
Every time I hear a heartbreaking story about a young life cut short, I wonder what could have been done differently to prevent it from happening. This is a tragedy that should never have occurred because the victim was discovered intoxicated. I’m curious where the driver was drinking prior to the accident. Was it in a bar or a restaurant? Was he celebrating the holiday with a night out? Did he drink at a party or at someone’s house? Why does this matter? In Texas, victims and their families have the right to sue bad bars and alcohol providers if they sell to an obviously intoxicated person who then injures or kills themselves or another person. Suing a third-party for their role in the death of a loved one can provide much-needed financial relief to help pay for the victim’s family’s crash-related expenses such as medical bills and funeral costs. It can also help them move forward with the knowledge that their claim may be the catalyst that prevents a bad alcohol provider from committing future acts that may cause harm to others. To be successful, evidence must be collected and preserved before it vanishes. It can be difficult to focus on that task while grieving a loss, so having an experienced third-party who understands the process involved is often a first step for many families. They can assist families in navigating the legal system and providing support so that they can concentrate on what is most important.
