Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 MS-13 | FROM PAGE 16 2018. An autopsy revealed that the victim suff ered at least 32 distinct sharp force trauma wounds consistent with being stabbed repeatedly, along with multiple blunt force injuries. The victim also had small pieces of metal embedded in his head, consistent with parts of the large knives breaking with the force of the strikes to the victim’s skull. The evidence in this case, which included a recording of Gutierrez describing the murder in graphic detail and boasting about it, revealed that the gang members murdered the victim based on their mistaken belief that he might have been assisting law enforcement. In the recordings, Gutierrez seemingly took pleasure in recounting the horrific act and expressed laughter while saying the murder was like “chopping wood,” as he and fellow gang members “were stabbing the knife right through him, bringing it down like [...] Bang, bang, bang, bang!” Following an investigation in November 2018, Gutierrez was indicted along with the fi ve other MS-13 members who participated in the July 2018 murder in Lynn. The six defendants in this case included fi ve participants in the 2018 murder as well as one longstanding member of the Sykos clique. In a related case, the government charged a juvenile co-conspirator who was the sixth person involved in the murder. All six defendants indicted in this case, along with the juvenile charged in the related case, have pleaded guilty. Gutierrez is the third defendant to be sentenced in the case. On February 14, Erick Lopez Flores was sentenced to 40 years in prison. On February 15, Jonathan Tercero Yanes, was sentenced to 33 years in prison. Djavier Duggins was scheduled to be sentenced for RICO conspiracy on February 17. Sentencing hearings for the two remaining codefendants, Eliseo Vaquerano Canas and Marlos Reyes, have not been scheduled. Sa nir Sa a H C y Senior Seni by Jim Miller i Dear Savvy Senior, What is the best way to deal with older drivers who probably shouldn’t be driving anymore? My dad, who’s 86, is bound and determined to keep driving as long as he’s alive. Backseat Daughter Dear Backseat, For many families, talking to an elderly parent about giving up the car keys can be a very diffi cult and sensitive topic. While there’s no one way to handle this issue, here are a few suggestions that can help you evaluate your dad’s driving and ease him out from behind the wheel when the time is right. Take a Ride To get a clear picture of your dad’s driving abilities, a good fi rst step, if you haven’t already done so, is to take a ride with him and watch for problem areas. For example: Does he have diffi culty seeing, backing up or changing lanes? Does he react slowly, get confused easily or make poor driving decisions? Does he drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Also, has your dad had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on his vehicle? These, too, are red fl ags. If you need some help and your dad is willing, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate elderly drivers and provide safety suggestions. This type of assessment typically costs between $200 and $400. To locate a professional in your area, visit AOTA.org/ older-driver or ADED.net. Transitioning and Talking After your assessment, if you think it’s still safe for your dad to drive, see if he would be willing to take an older driver refresher course. These courses will show him how aging aff ects driving skills and off ers tips and adjustments to help keep him safe. Taking a class may also earn your dad a discount on his auto insurance. To locate a class, contact your local AAA (AAA.com) or AARP (AARPdriversafety.org, 888227-7669). Most courses cost around $20 to $30 and can be taken online. If, however, your assessHow to Convince an Elderly Parent to Stop Driving nior Eldl ior ment shows that your dad really does need to stop driving, you need to have a talk with him, but don’t get carried away. If you begin with a dramatic outburst like “Dad, you’re going to kill someone!” you’re likely to trigger resistance. Start by simply expressing your concern for his safety. For more tips on how to talk to your dad about this and evaluate his driving skills, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab off ers a variety of resources to assist you. Visit TheHartford.com/lifetime and click on “Publications” on the menu bar, then on the “We Need to Talk” guidebook. Refuses to Quit If your dad refuses to quit, you have several options. One possible solution is to suggest a visit to his doctor who can give him a medical evaluation, and if warranted, “prescribe” that he stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If he still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they can help. Or call in an attorney to discuss with your dad the potential fi nancial and legal consequences of a crash or injury. If all else fails, you may just have to take away his keys. Alternative Transportation Once your dad stops driving, he’s going to need other ways to get around, so help him create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services that he can call on. To fi nd out what transportation services are available in your dad’s area contact Rides in Sight (RidesInSight. org, 855-607-4337), and the Eldercare Locator (800-6771116), which will direct you to his area agency on aging for assistance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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