Houston Woman Sentenced to 43 Years for Drunk Driving Death of Harris County Deputy

A Houston woman was sentenced to 43 years in prison on Thursday for the drunk driving death of Harris County sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Ramon Gutierrez in January 2022. Lavillia Chantael Spry, 42, was convicted by a jury of intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer after a seven-day trial.

District Attorney Kim Ogg emphasized that the incident was preventable, stating, “This was not an accident. Driving drunk is not an accident, and killing someone while driving drunk is a predictable consequence.”

On January 24, 2022, Gutierrez, 45, was working an off-duty job as a motorcycle escort on the East Beltway feeder road near Tidwell when he was struck by Spry. Gutierrez was off his motorcycle and blocking the exit ramp when Spry drove around him and hit him. After the collision, she fled the scene but was later apprehended by another deputy.

During the sentencing phase, family members delivered victim impact statements, highlighting the loss of Gutierrez, a 20-year veteran peace officer, who was married with three children. His oldest son, Alfred Gutierrez, expressed gratitude for the justice served, affirming, “We’re just happy that justice was served and my father will be remembered for the hero that he was.”

Prosecutors noted that Spry had made no plans to avoid driving after drinking, highlighting the prevalence of drunken driving fatalities in Harris County, which leads the nation in such incidents. Spry will be eligible for parole after serving at least 21 years and six months of her sentence.