SOME LASO RECRUITS WILL NEVER BECOME COPS BECAUSE OF A WRONG-WAY DRIVER

25 LA sheriff’s recruits on morning run injured, several critically, after group mowed down by wrong-way driver 

 

By Emily Crane

 

 

New York Post 

November 16, 2022

 

 

Police and fire crews are pictured at the scene of Mills Avenue and Trumball Street in Whittier, California where a group of sheriff and police recruits were struck by a car

 

Several law enforcement recruits have been left with “life-altering injuries” – including loss of limbs – after a wrong-way driver plowed into them on a training run in Los Angeles early Wednesday, authorities said.

At least 25 recruits from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and nearby police departments were injured when a 22-year-old driver veered onto the opposite side of the road in Whittier just before 6.30 a.m.

Five recruits were left critically wounded in the horrific ordeal — including some who suffered broken bones, head trauma and amputations, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

Four recruits suffered moderate injuries and 16 others obtained minor injuries, the sheriff added.

They had been running in formation on the side of the road with about 50 other recruits when the SUV – traveling at roughly 30 to 40 mph — suddenly mowed them down.

“They had zero warning,” LASD Capt. Pat MacDonald, whose department oversees the recruits, said at a news conference.

 

Authorities say the driver was traveling the wrong way when he plowed into a group of Los Angeles Sheriff recruits 

 

It remains unclear whether the 22-year-old driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash

 

Authorities on the scene are pictured transporting a bloody victim into an ambulance

 

Some were treated on the scene, while others were transported to local hospitals 

 

 

The carnage only ended when the driver, who hasn’t been named, crashed into a light pole.

“Thank God for that light pole because the vehicle ultimately hit it and stopped as opposed to possibly hitting more recruits,” MacDonald said.

It still isn’t clear exactly how many recruits were directly struck by the vehicle.

 

Emergency personnel were on the scene after the wreck.

Firefighters were seen at the scene of the incident. 

Multiple victims were rushed to local area hospitals 

 

Multiple victims were quickly rushed to local area hospitals, while several others were treated in the middle of the street.

Footage from the scene showed debris strewn across the road and the heavily damaged SUV mounted on the sidewalk near the downed light pole.

Running shoes and a backpack were also found scattered at the scene.

 

                 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

 

The driver, Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22, was immediately taken into custody and has been cooperating with authorities. He underwent a sobriety test but it came back negative.

Investigators are still probing the cause of the wreck.

“We do not have a cause,” Fire Department spokesperson, Capt. Sheila Kelliher, said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We do not have any other information on how the driver lost control, so at this time that is the basic information that we can share with you.”

The sheriff’s department said the injured recruits were part of an academy class and it was a routine training exercise.

The recruits were accompanied by eight road guards who were clad in high visibility vests, as well as drill instructors and two safety vehicles.

The incident unfolded just over a mile from the LASD Star Center, which is where recruits undergo training.

“I am personally heart sick,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said of the ordeal, adding she was focusing on the cadets who were injured to pull through this.