A husband and wife were deliberately struck by a vehicle driven by...

A husband and wife were deliberately struck by a vehicle driven by Manuel Vincent Gutierrez, who led police on a 97-mile pursuit while driving on the wrong side of Highway 58. The wife, 62-year-old Sheree Fishgold, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Yesterday, a Kern County Jury found Gutierrez guilty of First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Evading a Peace Officer Causing Death, Evading a Peace Officer Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Driving on Opposite side of the Highway, Reckless Evading Peace Officers, Possession of a Firarm by a Felon, and Assault with an Automobile.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Deputy DA Babbanjit “Bobby” Singh.

On June 6, 2021, at approximately 9:21 p.m., a Barstow Police Officer arrived at the Walmart in Barstow regarding a suspicion person making threats in the parking lot. Upon arrival, Gutierrez immediately accelerated towards the officer’s patrol vehicle. The officer conducted a U-turn and began pursuing Gutierrez’s Tahoe. Gutierrez got onto I-40, I-15, then to Hwy 58 in Kern County. During the pursuit, Gutierrez exited HWY 58 westbound and entered the eastbound on-ramp while continuing to drive in a westbound direction. While Gutierrez was driving the wrong way on the highway, he drove in and out of traffic until he intentionally drove head-on into a vehicle that was occupied by two passengers, a husband and wife. The husband was severely injured by the crash and spent two weeks unconscious. The wife, Sheree Fishgold, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. A search of Gutierrez’s Tahoe revealed a loaded firearm.

Following the jury’s verdict, the Court found Gutierrez had prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and first-degree burglary.

DA Zimmer commented; “Gutierrez’s actions were more than negligent or reckless, he deliberately and intentionally caused a head-on collision at highway speeds with an intent to kill, which the jury correctly identified as first degree murder.”

Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2025 where Gutierrez is facing life in prison.