Woman arrested, accused of striking ex-boyfriend with vehicle in 2018

The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a 28-year-old woman who they say intentionally struck her ex-boyfriend with her vehicle and then fled from Collier County back in 2018.

Tania Mercedes Lazo Gutierrez, who is an undocumented immigrant, was booked into Collier County jail on Wednesday. She faces a charge of using a deadly weapon and operating a motor vehicle without valid license.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report, the crash happened on Highlands Drive, just west of 12th Street North, on Oct. 11, 2018.

Jose Geovanny Quiroz Ortiz, who was 32 at the time, was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a black-colored 2013 Toyota Corrola that was registered to Lazo Gutierrez’s father.

Quiroz Ortiz suffered multiple cuts and deep abrasions to his face in addition to a broken clavicle, two broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Troopers found the vehicle at Lazo Gutierrez’s house.

Quiroz Ortiz told deputies he had recently broken up with Lazo Gutierrez because she had “an aggressive temper,” according to that arrest report. When he attempted to leave their shared home with his things, he told troopers, his girlfriend said, “if she cant’ have him, no one can.”

Lazo Gutierrez then got in her vehicle and hit him, authorities said. She then fled to Virginia, paying a driver $800 for the trip.

Lazo Gutierrez remains in Collier County Jail.