Rio Rancho volleyball club shows support after coach dies and another person is injured in an accident under the influence of alcohol

Remembering Tiger Gutierrez at the E3 volleyball courts.

RIO RANCHO, NM (KRQE) – A drunk driving accident left one coach in the Rio Rancho volleyball program dead and another hospitalized.

The E3 family is devastated, but said it is 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 Montoya suffered a severe brain injury. The suspected drunk driver fled the scene but was arrested on Monday.

“Losing Tiger was a huge loss for us, not only as a person, but of course also as a coach and as a 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. Those in attendance had heartfelt things to say about him, such as how he was their favorite coach and how supportive he was.

Gutierrez, 22, was a student at the University of New Mexico and began playing for the club during his senior year of high school. After graduating, E3 VB told him he wanted to give back by working as a coach.

“When we coach youth sports, we have to invest a lot of time, commitment and love into the kids. All the coaches in our club are very close and we feel like a family,” said Faris.

They organized a volleyball day in his memory. The event also served as a fundraiser for coach Montoya’s recovery.

“It makes us feel good to be able to honor him.”

“He loved the sport, so he wanted us to play it. It’s all in his honor and it’s nice that people are here to honor him,” said E3 players Lorelei and Ashley.

E3 Volleyball continues to ask for donations. The GoFundMe campaign for Gutierrez’s family can be found here. Montoya’s recovery fund can be found here.