Woman found guilty in 2022 in hit-and-run killing of Harris County sergeant

A Harris County jury has convicted Lavillia Spry of involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol, two years after she fatally struck Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez while driving under the influence.

Gutierrez, 45, was killed on January 24, 2022, during an off-duty traffic stop in northeast Harris County.

BACKGROUND: HCSO sergeant killed in hit-and-run by suspected drunk driver while directing traffic in NE Harris County, deputies say

According to investigators, Gutierrez was directing traffic for a convoy of oversized machines on East Sam Houston Parkway N. near Tidwell when Spry, who was drunk at the time, swerved around his motorcycle and struck him.

Spry fled the scene but was later arrested by officers. She was found to be heavily intoxicated and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. The incident deeply affected law enforcement because Gutierrez is a 20-year veteran, well-known and respected in the department and leaves behind a wife, a daughter and two sons.

Sean Teare, chief of the Harris County Vehicle Crimes Unit, described Spry's behavior as “selfish” and reckless, and said several vehicles had already heeded Gutierrez's warnings before Spry, “too drunk to care,” hit him have.

Spry was also charged with failure to stop and render aid and evading arrest.

Sergeant Gutierrez's death was a devastating loss to the community, and law enforcement officials vowed to ensure that justice is served.

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