“They developed probable cause to believe it was intentional,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva told NewsNation. Deputies later released the driver because they did not have “sufficient evidence.” The department said it will continue the investigation and may arrest him again. Whittier, CA – November 16: Ten Los Angeles County Sheriff’s cadets were injured Wednesday morning when a driver plowed into them during a morning run in Whittier. The crash happened near the sheriff’s training academy near Mills Avenue and Trumbull Street on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in Whittier, California. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The SUV was reportedly driving on the wrong side of the road and plowed into a group of 75 students who were running. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, 25 Sheriff’s recruits were injured in the crash. All victims were transported to several area hospitals. Those with the worst injuries were taken to UC Irvine Medical Center and St. Francis. “Tragedy has struck our department,” Villanueva said during a news conference Wednesday.
Five people are in critical condition, four with “moderate” injuries and 14 with minor injuries, firefighters said. The driver, identified by law enforcement as 22-year-old Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez of Diamond Bar, was arrested near the scene of the crash. He was later arrested and charged on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer. Held without bond. The Sheriff’s Department has not released specific information about why this crash is now believed to be intentional. Guitierrez is scheduled to appear in court Friday, but because the case has not been presented to the prosecutor it may be postponed.
The crash was reported about 6:30 a.m. near Mills Avenue and Trumbull Street. The recruits are with a class assigned to the STAR Explore Training Academy. Villanueva said the driver passed a breathalyzer test. He added that the training course included recruits from various law enforcement agencies, and the group of injured trainees includes two from the Bell and Glendale police departments and one from the Pasadena Police Department. The rest were all trainees at the sheriff’s department. CBSLA staff The CBS LA staff is a team of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSLA.com.