By Bob Walsh
Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22,
was taken into custody at the scene on Mills Avenue in Whittier on
Wednesday morning. The suspect was seen being given field sobriety tests. Gutierrez was later released due to the sheriff’s office not being ready to present the case to the DA.
Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22, was the driver of the
wrong-way car that plowed into a class of LASO recruits out for their
morning run two days ago.
Gutierrez is currently in custody for investigation of attempted murder on a peace officer. He is being held without bail.
There
were about 75 recruits with two police car escorts and eight road
guards. None of the drill instructors, who are peace officers, were
injured. The authorities have still not released a total count of those
injured, though the number is about 25. Five of the injuries are
critical. Two are still in critical condition. There were no skid
marks. The driver was NOT under the influence. Witnesses say it
appeared that the vehicle just veered onto the "wrong" side of the
street and drove into the runners. The vehicle subsequently crashed
into a light pole. The crash happened pretty much right in front of a
fire station so help was available very quickly.
NOTE:
Several news outlets now report says that the driver has been released
pending further investigation, due to the complexity of the case and the
time needed to conduct the investigation. He was apparently released
from custody Thursday night. Anybody want to bet that he is going to go
on a vacation in Costa Rica pretty much immediately?
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