HOUSTON — Police arrested a man on Tuesday accused of killing a United States Postal Service worker in a north Houston hit-and-run crash on Saturday.
Jesus Natividad Gutierrez, 43, has been charged with failure to stop and render aid/accident involving death and filing a false police report. The victim, who has been identified as 29-year-old Robert Jones, was killed Saturday afternoon when police say Gutierrez crashed his SUV into Jones' mail truck in north Houston.
Jones' father called the arrest bittersweet.
"It's not closure, but it's a start," he said. "He could do anything. Delivering mail, he's helping people move furniture, I mean anything he could do to help anybody, he would do. If anybody needed anything he was always there no matter what it was."
Gutierrez allegedly told police his truck had been stolen earlier while he was shopping at a Walmart store, but police said surveillance video showed him leaving the store in his SUV just minutes before the crash.
USPS released the following statement on the arrest:
"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is aware of the arrest made by the Houston Police Department and are grateful to the officers and investigators who diligently worked this incident. Postal Inspectors will continue to provide any assistance needed.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr. Jones’ family, friends, and colleagues.
Any further questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Houston Police Department."
Gutierrez was expected back in court Thursday morning.
What happened
Authorities said it happened Saturday around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Julia Street and Bauman Road, which is just north of East Crosstimbers Street between Fulton Street and Irvington Boulevard.
Authorities said an SUV crashed into a USPS vehicle while trying to get around it. The impact caused Jones to fall out of his truck and into a ditch. His mail truck then fell on top of him.
People in the area rushed to his aid, but he was pronounced dead while on the way to an area hospital.
Those same people also tried to stop the driver of the SUV, but he was able to get away.
"I’m very, very proud of the community that came to his aid, that ran and also tried to stop the driver from leaving. The driver still left the scene but it has to be commended that the people in the community tried to help the driver, the postal worker," Cantu said.
Who was Robert Jones?
So many people are missing Jones, including his customers, coworkers, family and his 4-year-old daughter.
His family said he had quite the personality.
"Yeah, a character," Jones' father said. "He was outgoing, friendly, he would help anybody. When he should be delivering mail, he was helping people move furniture."
The family is planning a vigil for Jones on Friday night.
They said his funeral will be on Saturday and the public is invited.