Houston postal worker killed in crash; accused driver Jesus Natividad Gutierrez charged
HOUSTON - Police say 29-year-old Robert Jones died in a crash that occurred around 3 p.m. Saturday near Julia Street and Bauman Road.
"You wouldn’t expect it to happen to him at all," said Christopher Harmon, a lifelong friend of Jones.
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He says Jones was a dedicated father to his young daughter and a genuine friend.
Robert Jones
"A giver and just the glue to us and always happy, in any negative situations he was always being positive looking on the bright side," he said.
Jones was driving his postal truck southbound on Bauman Road, and a white Ford Expedition was behind him, authorities say. As the postal truck attempted to turn left, the Expedition tried to go around it and struck the back of the postal truck, police say.
Authorities say the postal truck spun and flipped over, and the driver of the postal truck was ejected. Police say the driver of the Expedition fled without stopping to provide medical assistance.
Bystanders aided the postal worker until paramedics arrived. Jones was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Robert Jones
Police say they spoke with witnesses to get a vehicle description, but didn’t immediately locate it or the driver.
A charging document says that police used security video and photos that witnesses took to trace the suspect car back to Jesus Natividad Gutierrez.
Jesus Natividad Gutierrez (Photo: Jesus Natividad Gutierrez)
But when they interviewed him, Gutierrez lied to police and said the car had been stolen.
After further investigation, police say they identified found out the car was never stolen and arrested Gutierrez.
He’s charged with failure to stop and render aid, a felony, and false report to a peace officer, a misdemeanor.
"I really think he got off too easy," said Jones’ friend Robert Florez. "The thought of him even trying to go out there and help was not even in his mind."
Court records show that Gutierrez has been charged with multiple crimes in Harris County, including possession of a weapon as a felon, driving without a license and deadly conduct.
Jones’ friends say they want to see more serious charges pressed on Gutierrez.
Gutierrez has a bond of $100,000.