The driver has been charged with murder. But this Houston mother says there’s still a piece of the story police haven’t explained to her.
HOUSTON — A Houston mother says she still doesn’t have the answers she needs after a Houston Police Department vehicle struck and killed her 19-year-old son early Wednesday morning, moments after he stepped out of a stolen car during a high-speed chase in West Harris County.
Stephanie Gutierrez says her son, Abrihaim Abuswei, known to family as AB, was a passenger in a stolen Toyota Camry when HPD officers tried to pull the car over. According to court records, the driver refused to stop and reached speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.
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“No, no, not my son. Not my son. I told my husband I don’t believe it.”
Court records state the chase ended when the Camry hit a curb along Highway 6 and became disabled. The driver and two passengers ran from the car. Pursuing officers were able to stop their vehicles before hitting the Camry, but another law enforcement vehicle struck the side of the car just as Abuswei was getting out, killing him.
Gutierrez and her husband, Ralph Gutierrez, said their son had told them he was being picked up by a friend to spend the night at his house.
“That was the last time we had heard from him.”
Gutierrez said she doesn’t believe her son knew the car was stolen.
“He was a passenger, his friend picked him up. I don’t even know if he knew the car was stolen. He had some bad friends, but he was not a thug in any way.”
The driver of the Camry, 21-year-old Steven Molina, has been charged with murder in connection with Abuswei’s death, according to court records. Court records state Molina admitted he was running from officers and admitted to drinking and using cocaine before driving.
Gutierrez said she believes the officer involved in the crash should be held accountable.
“I feel like the police should be held responsible. Whoever did this should be held responsible.”
She said what has made the situation harder is the silence she says she’s gotten from investigators since her son’s death.
“PD hasn’t reached out to us. Acknowledge everything. The only thing we are hearing is from the news station what happened.”
Houston police told the station they are investigating the specifics of the crash, and no charges have been filed against the HPD officer involved. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said it is also investigating the crash, and noted it does not necessarily release a press release on all crash investigations, particularly those in which no charges are filed.
For Gutierrez, that response isn’t enough.
“I know he wasn’t an angel. He was hanging around the wrong people when this happened. He didn’t deserve to die for this.”
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