On August 26, 2025, at approximately 8:10 AM, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a report of a three-vehicle traffic accident near the intersection of Highway 24 and Blue Gill Drive (near Judge Orr Road) in unincorporated El Paso County.
The reporting party indicated a passenger in one of the vehicles—a white pickup truck towing a black trailer—appeared to be seriously injured or deceased. Life-saving efforts were attempted but were unfortunately unsuccessful.
The deceased individual was identified as 29-year-old Noel Gutierrez-Cano. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office confirmed Mr. Gutierrez-Cano sustained at least one gunshot wound. His official cause and manner of death will be determined and released by the Coroner.
Deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene. They immediately began an extensive investigation, including efforts to locate and identify the driver of the vehicle, who fled the scene following the crash.
Tips from our partners at Crimestoppers, along with video footage from the community, connected a traffic stop made by an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit deputy on Judge Orr Road for an illegal turn, which occurred shortly following the traffic accident on Highway 24 and Blue Gill Drive.
During the traffic stop, two adult males were contacted. The driver failed to produce a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance; therefore, the vehicle was towed, and both the driver and passenger left on foot. The passenger did not provide identifying information to deputies during the stop; however, body-worn camera footage provided a clear image of the individual.
Further investigation into the incident led detectives to identify 26-year-old Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez as a person of interest in the case. Diaz Vazquez, an illegal immigrant, was arrested in Las Vegas, New Mexico (San Miguel County), on an unrelated outstanding warrant on September 3, 2025.
Detectives from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Detectives traveled to the San Miguel County Detention Center, where he was being held, and interviewed Diaz Vazquez on September 4, 2025.
Evidence and information obtained during the investigation led to Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez being charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of 29-year-old Noel Gutierrez-Cano.
Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez is currently being held at the Doña Anna County Jail in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on a fugitive from justice hold from San Miguel County, and a $500,000 (cash only) bond in El Paso County.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is working to extradite Diaz Vazquez to El Paso County as soon as possible.
Due to the criminal nature of the investigation, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office worked with our federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to properly identify the suspect.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal issued the following statement:
“This investigation reflects the strength of partnerships across state and federal jurisdictions. I want to thank the Commerce City Police Department, San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, Doña Anna County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their support and coordination. Their assistance was crucial in successfully identifying and ultimately charging Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez for this heinous crime.
“I am profoundly grateful to my detectives for their tireless work and dedication in seeking justice for victims in our community, including Mr. Gutierrez-Cano and his family. I also want to thank our vigilant community for providing valuable tips, and our partners at Crimestoppers, who make it possible for individuals to come forward and report crime anonymously in the Pikes Peak region.
“My mission as Sheriff remains clear—we will not tolerate crime, and we will hold offenders accountable, regardless of immigration status, if they choose to commit crimes in the Pikes Peak region.”