Innocent Bystander Remembered By Family As 'Our Disney Princess'

MIAMI, FL — An innocent bystander killed in a crash involving a stolen Mercedes last week has been identified as Theresa J. Gutierrez as Miami-Dade police clarified the circumstances of the woman's death.

"At no time did MDPD 'chase' the stolen vehicle," Detective Lee Cowart of the Miami-Dade Police Department said on Monday.

The 28-year-old woman's family remembered her as "Our Disney Princess" in a GoFundMe set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

"We are asking for your help, as we were not prepared for her sudden loss," according to the GoFundMe. "We thank you for your generosity and for any support you can provide us during this difficult time."

Cowart said the crash occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of NW 7 Avenue and NW 135 Street.

Miami-Dade Robbery Intervention Detail detectives spotted the stolen Mercedes and activated their emergency lights. Cowart said the Mercedes fled the area but police did not give chase.

"The detective immediately turned off his emergency equipment and radioed for assistance from fellow officers," Cowart explained. "The detectives followed in the general direction that the stolen vehicle fled."

The stolen Mercedes crashed into the vehicle in which Gutierrez was traveling with a male driver at the intersection of NW 7 Avenue and NW 135 Street.

"A short time after the crash, RID detectives arrived on scene," according to Cowart, who said officers assisted crash victims.

"The stolen vehicle was driven by an adult male and had one adult female passenger," Cowart said. They were both taken to an area hospital for injuries they suffered in the crash.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced Gutierrez dead at the scene. The driver of her vehicle was taken to an area hospital.

Traffic Homicide detectives are conducting the investigation.