Man with two previous DUI convictions arrested for deadly hit-and-run crash with bicyclist in Huntington Beach
A man was arrested on suspicion of a DUI crash in Huntington Beach that left a bicyclist dead early Monday morning and records show it's not his first time getting caught while driving drunk.
Elias Madriz Gutierrez, a 68-year-old Orange man, was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury and second-degree murder, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
He was arrested after officers learned that he was allegedly behind the wheel of the 2023 Ford Bronco that slammed into 51-year-old Kristin Bellovich from behind while she was riding a bike just after midnight near Beach Boulevard and Glencoe Drive.
Instead of stopping to help, Gutierrez attempted to flee from the scene. He was located a short time later and taken into custody.
Court record show that the suspect has two prior DUI convictions, one in April 2018 and the other in January 2009. Because of this, prosecutors are able to consider filing an upgraded charge from manslaughter to second-degree murder.
No further information was provided.