Cops: Baby dies after DUI driver strikes pregnant woman

VAN NUYS, Calif. -- Police in southern California say a DUI driver is facing a murder charge after he swerved into a pregnant woman's car, causing her to give birth to her child, who died soon after.

25-year-old Julian Gutierrez of North Hills has three previous DUI convictions from 2014, 2015 and 2016, reports CBS LA.

In the May 26 crash involving the pregnant woman, police say Gutierrez veered his Nissan Altima into incoming traffic in Van Nuys, striking the vicitm's Acura Integra head-on.

The pregnant driver of the Integra was rushed to the hospital where her baby was born, reports the station. The girl died soon after birth. 

The woman was seriously injured. She had been eight months pregnant, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Gutierrez faces one felony count each of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury within 10 years of two other DUI offenses and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of two other DUI offenses, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

Gutierrez reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered held on $2 million bail. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, reports CBS LA.

He is scheduled to return to court on June 13.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.