Lyft Driver Recovering After Attempted Armed Robbery

by: Joanne Voss

Last September, Fresno Lyft driver Matthew Gutierrez was shot in an attempted armed robbery. He was taken to the hospital with a bullet in his spine that left him a paraplegic.

Gutierrez, 29, is showing signs of recovery and is working hard toward his overall goal.

“Before I couldn’t move legs at all,” Gutierrez said. “Now I can kick my legs out a little bit, you know, so I do have functionality. And at this point, even with physical therapy, the goal is to stand.”

Throughout the entire situation, Gutierrez’s friends and family have been by his side. Close friends Mike Jackson said Gutierrez’s character hasn’t changed.

“Before the injury he was caring, loving, giving, thoughtful, conscious of the people around him and always being thoughtful towards their well-being, and zero has changed.”

Gutierrez’s faith in God has also stayed the same. He is focusing on one Bible verse, in particular, to get him through his recovery.

“I always keep one scripture in mind and it’s in First Peter and it says that all flesh is grass, everything fades, you know, but one thing that remains is the Word of God. That’s one thing that’s always kept me with a positive focus.”

Gutierrez says he is grateful that he can use his arms so he can continue playing instruments. He knows things could have been worse.

“I can still play. I can still use my talent in the places where my heart lies, you know, with the church and just serving the Lord first and foremost,” Gutierrez said.

He returned to Millbrook Presbyterian Church the first Sunday that he was out of the hospital and continues to help lead the worship team there.

Gutierrez’s family has set up a GoFundMe page where anyone who wants to help with his medical bills may donate.