Crash That Killed Unborn Baby Leads To Murder Charge

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 25-year-old man was charged with murder Wednesday because he was under the influence when he crossed into oncoming traffic last week and crashed head-on with a driver who was 8-months pregnant causing her to lose the baby girl, according to police.

According to police and prosceutors, Julian Gutierrez of North Hills drove his 2010 Nissan Altima south on Fulton Avenue and crossed the double yellow lines, colliding with a northbound 1997Acura Integra at about 11:05 p.m. Friday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

The driver of the Acura, Judith Mauricio, who was eight months pregnant, suffered serious injuries, police said.

Mauricio was taken to a hospital, where she gave birth to a baby girl who subsequently died, police said.

"The investigation revealed that Gutierrez was driving under the influence during the time of the collision," according to an LAPD statement. "He sustained minor injuries ... and was treated by paramedics at (the) scene."

Gutierrez was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, police said.

"He also had a warrant in the amount for $70,000 which increased the bail amount to" $2.07 million, police said without disclosing what the outstanding warrant was for.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock