RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – A DWI crash killed a Rio Rancho volleyball program’s coach and hospitalized another one.
The E3 family is devastated, but they said it was important to support the families in their time of need.
On the morning of July 1, E3 Volleyball coaches Tiger Gutierrez and Mia Montoya were driving when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver at the intersection of Coors and Montaño.
The collision ended Guiterrez’s life and left Montoya with a serious brain injury. The suspected drunk driver fled the scene but was arrested on Monday.
“Losing Tiger was a monumental loss for us, not just as a person, but obviously as a coach and the club. He did a lot for our club,” said E3 Volleyball Director Christa Faris.
Players, fellow coaches, and members of the community came together to play in his honor. Attendees had heartfelt things to share about him, like how he was their favorite coach and how he was extremely supportive.
Gutierrez, 22, was a student at the University of New Mexico, and he started playing at the club during his senior year of high school. After graduating, E3 VB said he wanted to give back through coaching.
“When we’re coaching youth sports, it takes a lot of time, commitment, and love to invest in the kids, and all the coaches in our club are very close, and we feel that we are family,” said Faris.
They organized a day of volleyball to honor his memory. It also doubled as fundraiser to help Coach Montoya in her recovery.
“It makes us feel good that we get to honor him.”
“He loved the sport, so he would want us to play it. All in honor of him, and it’s nice for people to be here honoring him,” said E3 players Lorelei and Ashley.
E3 Volleyball is still asking for donations. You can find the GoFundMe for Gutierrez’s family here. Additionally, Montoya’s recovery fund can be found here.
