Driver Faces Murder Charges in Girl’s Death

PALMDALE —  Murder charges were filed Monday against a woman who police said admitted she rammed her car into her roommate’s 8-year-old daughter, killing her.

Doreen Gutierrez, 34, of Littlerock, confessed her role in the Saturday night death but offered no explanation to investigators, according to Det. Christine Carnes of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

“I asked her how come she didn’t put brakes on or try to slow down,” said Carnes. “She said, ‘I don’t know.’ ”

There were no skid marks or other signs that Gutierrez tried to avoid hitting the girl, Carnes said.

As they left a party about 9 p.m. Saturday, the roommates began arguing because the girl’s mother, Teresa Gutierrez Craidl, refused to ride home with Gutierrez, whom she suspected was drunk.

Finally, Craidl decided to walk home on 30th Street East toward Avenue S-4 and Gutierrez got into her car.

“[Gutierrez] sped past them,” Carnes said. “Then she reversed backward behind them. Then she drove it right at them, upon the curb and through a wall and a fence.”

Craidl and her 7-year-old boy escaped injury. The girl was killed instantly, Carnes said.

When Gutierrez tried to flee, a man in a truck blocked her way, Carnes said. She was captured nearby, Carnes said, and incapacitated with pepper spray after she allegedly tried to resist arrest.

Gutierrez was being held without bail.