KATY, Texas – A bicyclist traveling in the Katy area was hit late Monday night, and the driver believed to be responsible reportedly left him for dead.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, 66-year-old Juan Gutierrez was hit from behind at around 11:30 p.m. while riding his bike southbound down the 900 block of South Mason Road.
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“The male was projected here into the grass and was found on scene with no signs of life,” Sgt. B. Bondurant with HCSO said. “He did not survive the crash. The unknown vehicle that struck this male fled the scene of the crash. At this time, we do not believe they contacted 911.”
Blanca, Gutierrez’s daughter said the loss still doesn’t seem real.
“They didn’t take just any person.. they took my father, my kids’ grandfather,” she said.
After reviewing area surveillance video HCSO says a person driving a 2008 Ford Edge hit the 66-year-old and continued down the road.
“Who can have a heart just to leave someone like that,” Blanca said.
KPRC saw surveillance video of the crash which showed Guiterrez cutting through the edge of a parking lot to avoid traffic. The video appears to show the Ford hitting the curb and Gutierrez.
“You can tell they dragged him,” Blanca said. “You can see the scratches you can see where he landed.”
The hit-and-run crash has left some concerned about pedestrian traffic safety on South Mason Road. Commissioner Lesley Briones says it’s on her radar.
“I am devastated to learn about this tragedy,” Commissioner Briones said in a statement. “Any death on our roadways is unacceptable. Since taking office, we’ve made it a priority to improve safety and accessibility for all people and we are taking urgent, proactive measures. Just yesterday at Commissioners Court, we approved an agreement to conduct an in-depth review of existing land use in the Katy East community, to assess and improve mobility and transportation needs for that area. Everyone deserves to be safe. We extend our deepest condolences to the Gutierrez family.”
Since the crash, community members have started a makeshift memorial where it happened and Blanca is left raising funds for her beloved father’s funeral.
“We got the funeral costs yesterday,” she said. “Something I never thought I was going to do this soon. They’ve taken him from our lives.”
At this time, investigators continue to search for surveillance video that may help them track down the driver.
If you have any information on this crash, you are urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
A GoFundMe was established for the family. To help, click here.