Whittier crash: Suspect accused of ‘deliberately’ driving into sheriff recruits released
‘Life-altering’ injuries suffered by some runners
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Authorities have identified a suspect arrested after an SUV crashed into a group of law enforcement recruits out on a training run on Wednesday morning in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier.
As many as 25 of the group of 75 were taken to local hospitals. Five were listed in critical condition with head trauma, a possible amputation, and lacerations, according to reports.
The suspect detained at the scene by authorities has now been named as Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22.
He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and may have been under the influence of a recreational drug when the crash occurred, Fox 11 reported. Gutierrez passed a field sobriety test and blew a 0.0 in his blood alcohol check. He is due in court on Friday.
The recruits attend the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services Center located roughly a mile and a half from the crash site. Recruits are often seen running in the vicinity in packs with outrunners wearing high-visibility gear.
Aerial footage showed debris strewn across the roadway as first responders tended to the wounded and a surveillance camera caught the shocking moment on video.
Authorities report 22 runners were injured, as well as the driver.
Four received moderate injuries, 14 are being treated for minor injuries, and five are in critical condition.
Paramedics sent up a triage area at the scene and began transporting the injured to hospital for treatment, prioritising those in the most critical condition.
“The hardest part is finding each victim,” Retired Fire Captain Rick Godinez of the Los Angeles City Fire Department told CBSLA. “There are red, yellow, and green tarps used by first responders to categorise the victims.”
Mr Godinez explained red tarps are for those that need to get to the hospital first.
“First responders will start to reach out to hospitals to start diverting the victims to each victim to different hospitals,” said Mr Godinez.
Footage from CBSLA appears to show the vehicle may have hit a lamp post when it came to a stop. The post is down on the sidewalk and the light fitting is in the roadway.
CBSLA reports that the injured were taken to several hospitals, including St Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, approximately 5 miles from the scene, and LAC+USC Medical Center, close to Downtown Los Angeles.
“It is hard to see because these young people are getting ready to go put themselves in the line of danger in their career, and who knows that while you’re training to do that, you’ve put yourself in harm’s way. So my heart goes out to all of them as they pursue this career. I hope they all have speedy recoveries and that they’re in good shape.”
A large group of cadets who were uninjured is still on site in a nearby parking lot, where first responders are distributing blankets.
Recap: At least 22 police recruits struck by vehicle during morning run in Los Angeles suburb
At least 22 police recruits were struck by a vehicle as they were out for a morning run in Whittier, Los Angeles, on 16 November.
The cadets are trainees at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center on Colima Road, approximately a mile and a half from where the incident occurred.
According to a resident cited by Fox 11, the recruits are regularly seen running in packs wearing high-visibility vests.
The vehicle was being driven by a 22-year-old man who was taken to hospital for treatment.
It has not been confirmed how the incident occurred.
At least 22 police recruits struck by vehicle during morning run in LA suburb
At least 22 police recruits were struck by a vehicle as they were out for a morning run in Whittier, Los Angeles, on 16 November. The cadets are trainees at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center on Colima Road, approximately a mile and a half from where the incident occurred. According to a resident cited by Fox 11, the recruits are regularly seen running in packs wearing high-visibility vests. The vehicle was being driven by a 22-year-old man who was taken to hospital for treatment. It has not been confirmed how the incident occurred. Sign up for our newsletters.
During a press conference at the scene, Captain Charlie Samson of the California High Patrol confirmed the driver was a 22-year-old man from the city of Diamond Bar in Los Angeles County, but no name has been released.
The running group consisted of around 75 people. He described it as a mass casualty event in which the southbound vehicle veered across into the opposing lane before hitting the recruits who were running north on the sidewalk.
Five recruits suffered ‘life-altering’ injuries
One patient is currently on a ventilator and in critical condition, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva just told a press conference.
Five recruits are said to have suffered “life-altering” injuries.
The 22-year-old Hispanic driver was not under the influence of alcohol according to a field sobriety test conducted at the scene.
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