The Tragic Story of José Pastor Gutiérrez
José Pastor Gutiérrez stands as the sole survivor of a devastating crash on Route 22 that took the lives of four family members last Friday. In a heartfelt plea for justice, Gutiérrez stated, “He took everything from me, I was left with nothing.” His words referenced the driver who, while intoxicated and speeding at over 170 kilometers per hour, collided with their vehicle.
The Impact of Tragedy
Gutiérrez shared his grief, revealing, “My third grandson has just been born, he is the youngest, but I lost the other two in the accident.” He expressed regret for being unable to rescue his grandchildren, who were tragically trapped in the vehicle after the collision caused by a Volkswagen Amarok truck.
The accident occurred in the early morning as Gutiérrez’s family was traveling from Catriel to the Atlantic coast. Initial investigations suggest that they had to stop due to luggage detaching from their car, which set the stage for the horrific impact that followed.
Details of the Collision
The accused, Axel “el Chinito” Araneda, reportedly collided violently with Gutiérrez’s vehicle from behind. Reports indicate that his speed was more than 170 kilometers per hour, launching the family car almost forty meters before it caught fire.
The crash resulted in the immediate deaths of Liliana Cocuzza, a respected doctor in Catriel, her daughter Carina, and her two young grandchildren. While Gutiérrez survived, he was unable to save his family members trapped in the flames.
Demand for Justice
Gutiérrez’s pain has been compounded by indignation at the statements made by the accused. “I ask for justice, Mr. Judge, prosecutors, it cannot be that this guy lies,” he stated, asserting that no one helped him after the crash and that witness testimony and photographs support his claims.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the accused has only been charged with manslaughter and will remain in preventive detention for four months. This measure was taken due to a perceived flight risk, considering Araneda has a prior conviction for drug trafficking.
Legal Perspectives
Family lawyer Marcelo Hertzriken Velasco emphasized that there is substantial evidence against Araneda. “If he had not driven over 170 kilometers per hour, if he hadn’t used his phone while driving, and if he had not consumed narcotics, this tragedy might have been prevented,” he argued.
The accident report reveals the Amarok struck the EcoSport, dragging it more than 37 meters before erupting in flames.
A Community Appeal
In the midst of mourning, Gutiérrez has made a poignant request to the community. He is searching for a black trunk that was in the car, containing a pink suitcase filled with his daughter’s clothes and a laptop filled with cherished family memories.
“I don’t need the clothes, I want the computer to recover beautiful photos that we had with my grandchildren,” Gutiérrez pleaded, now relying solely on his newborn grandson, daughter-in-law, and son for family support.