Covina Officer Remains Sedated Weeks After Crashing During Pursuit

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - The Covina Police Department is asking for donations to aid the family of an officer who remains hospitalized from injuries sustained in a pursuit crash.

While all of the medical costs for Jesse Gutierrez are being covered, there are still financial gaps that need addressing, which is why the Covina Police Department is reaching out to the community for donations, according to Covina Police Chief David Povero.

Gutierrez remains in a medically-induced coma. He has been with the department for more than four years and is a newly-appointed K9 handler. He is married and has a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old son. He obtained the rank of sergeant while serving overseas with the Marine Corps, Povero said.

Officer Jesse Gutierrez was dispatched around 4 a.m. May 6 to investigate a disturbance call in the 500 block of South Eremland Drive. Gutierrez located a vehicle connected to the disturbance and attempted to speak to the driver, but the driver refused to exit the vehicle and fled. Gutierrez gave chase, but crashed and was seriously injured at Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers providing back up, continued to pursue the driver until the pursuit ended on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue. Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was arrested.

“You can tell he’s lived a life of service and has been a great team member here at the Covina Police Department,” Povero said of Gutierrez.

Gutierrez’s K9 partner was in the police vehicle during the crash. The K9 was examined and is doing fine while being cared for by other Covina officers, Povero said.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California, in association with the Covina Police officers Association, is collecting donations to aid Gutierrez’s wife Beverly and his sons. The effort has a $50,000 goal and has raised nearly $40,000 so far.

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