Woman found guilty in 2022 hit-and-run killing of Harris County sergeant

A Harris County jury has convicted Lavillia Spry of intoxication manslaughter, two years after she fatally struck Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez while driving under the influence.

Gutierrez, 45, was killed while working an off-duty traffic control job in northeast Harris County on January 24, 2022.

BACKGROUND: HCSO sergeant killed in hit-and-run by suspected intoxicated driver while directing traffic in NE Harris County, deputies say

According to investigators, Gutierrez was directing traffic for a convoy of oversized machinery on East Sam Houston Parkway N. near Tidwell when Spry, intoxicated at the time, drove around his motorcycle and hit him.

Spry fled the scene but was later apprehended by deputies. She was found to be highly intoxicated and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. The incident has deeply affected the law enforcement community, as Gutierrez was a 20-year veteran, well-known and respected in the department, leaving behind a wife, daughter, and two sons.

Harris County Vehicular Crimes Division Chief Sean Teare described Spry’s actions as “selfish” and reckless, stating that multiple vehicles had already heeded Gutierrez’s warnings before Spry, “too intoxicated to care,” struck him.

• ‘Selfish, too intoxicated to care’: Vehicular Crimes chief sounds off on woman accused in HCSO sergeant’s death

Spry was also charged with failure to stop and render aid, and evading arrest.

Sergeant Gutierrez’s death was a devastating loss for the community, with law enforcement officials vowing to ensure justice is served.

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