Angry Driver Hits, Kills Girl, 8, Deputies Say

An 8-year-old girl was killed in Palmdale when her mother refused to accept a ride home from a party with a woman she suspected of being drunk and the driver later rammed the girl with her car, authorities said Sunday.

The incident occurred about 9 p.m. Saturday as the girl, Sara Criado, her 7-year-old brother and their mother, Teresa Gutierrez, left a neighborhood party near 30th Street East and Avenue S-4.

Authorities say that while at the party Gutierrez, 34, began arguing with her roommate, Doreen Gutierrez, no relation. Teresa Gutierrez thought her roommate had had too much to drink and refused to ride home with her, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Flamm.

She and her two children left the party and began walking home north on 30th Street East toward Avenue S-4, Flamm said.

Doreen Gutierrez then drove her car alongside the family, trying to persuade Teresa Gutierrez to get in the car. When Teresa Gutierrez refused, Doreen Gutierrez became enraged and sped away, Flamm said.

But after driving a couple of blocks Doreen Gutierrez backed up to where Teresa Gutierrez and her two children were walking, put the car in drive and attempted to run them over, Flamm said.

“Teresa and the son eluded the car, but Sara was struck and killed instantly,” he said.

The suspect attempted to drive from the scene, but her car was blocked by the truck of a passing motorist who witnessed the incident. She then ran to the car of an unidentified friend, who drove her from the scene, Flamm said.

A few blocks away, Doreen Gutierrez was arrested by Palmdale station sheriff’s deputies who were responding to the incident. She was being held without bail at the sheriff’s station in Palmdale.