Lavillia Spry has been convicted by a Harris County jury of intoxication manslaughter, marking the culmination of a two-year period since she tragically struck and killed Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez while driving under the influence.
On January 24, 2022, Gutierrez, who was 45 years old, tragically lost his life while performing an off-duty traffic control duty in northeast Harris County.
In a tragic incident, a sergeant from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) lost his life in a hit-and-run accident. The incident occurred in northeast Harris County while the sergeant was directing traffic. According to the deputies, the driver responsible for the accident was suspected to be intoxicated. This heartbreaking incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers while carrying out their duties to ensure public safety.
Investigators have reported that Gutierrez was directing traffic for a convoy of oversized machinery on East Sam Houston Parkway N. near Tidwell. It was during this time that Spry, who was intoxicated, drove around Gutierrez’s motorcycle and collided with him.
Spry ran away from the scene but was later caught by deputies. They discovered that she was heavily intoxicated and did not perform well on field sobriety tests. This incident has had a profound impact on the law enforcement community. Gutierrez, a highly respected 20-year veteran in the department, is deeply missed. He leaves behind a wife, daughter, and two sons.
According to Harris County Vehicular Crimes Division Chief Sean Teare, Spry’s actions were described as “selfish” and reckless. Teare mentioned that multiple vehicles had already obeyed Gutierrez’s warnings, but Spry, who was too intoxicated to care, hit him.
Spry faced additional charges for failing to stop and provide assistance, as well as evading arrest.
The community suffered a tremendous loss when Sergeant Gutierrez passed away, and law enforcement officials are determined to bring justice in response.