What are they hiding? Metro won’t release public records from fatal 12-car crash
Summary
On 18 November a 12-vehicle collision in northwest Las Vegas left three people dead and several injured. Nineteen‑year‑old Jose Gutierrez is accused of intentionally ramming stopped cars and has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.
The Las Vegas Review‑Journal requested 911 call recordings, body‑worn camera footage and crash video from the Metropolitan Police Department. Metro has refused, citing an “open/active” investigation, a claimed law‑enforcement privilege and the argument that crash video from a nearby business is third‑party material that cannot be released without the owner’s consent. The Justice Court later produced crash video after it was filed as an exhibit in the criminal case.
Review‑Journal and its legal team dispute Metro’s blanket approach. Legal experts in the story say records in a public agency’s custody are public records unless a specific law makes them confidential. A pending Nevada Supreme Court matter could change how police treat records tied to ongoing investigations.
Key Points
- Metro denied requests for 911 audio, body camera video and crash footage, citing an open investigation and a claimed law‑enforcement privilege.
- The 18 Nov crash involved 12 vehicles; three people died and Gutierrez faces murder and attempted murder charges.
- Metro argues third‑party video requires the owner’s consent; Review‑Journal’s lawyer says records in police custody are public regardless of origin.
- Las Vegas Justice Court provided the crash video after it was submitted as an exhibit in the criminal case.
- Metro has released some related footage (an earlier speeding stop) but other bodycam videos have heavy redactions or remain withheld.
- A pending Nevada Supreme Court case could set a precedent allowing agencies to keep records from open investigations secret — a major transparency issue.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: because this is not just gossip about redacted videos — it’s about whether police and prosecutors can hide records tied to violent crimes. If Metro’s approach stands, lots more material could be kept from the public in future cases. Read it to know what that means for accountability, victims’ families and anyone demanding openness from law enforcement.
Author’s take
Punchy and to the point: this is a must‑watch story. It shows the friction between routine transparency practices (911 audio, bodycam release) and a department increasingly comfortable withholding records. The legal fight — including a looming state high‑court decision — could change public access across Nevada. That’s why the details matter.
