25 Sheriff's Recruits Hit By Wrong Way Vehicle In LA Co.

WHITTIER, CA — Some 25 Los Angeles County sheriff's recruits were on a training run in Whittier when they were struck by a wrong-way driver. The crash left several in critical condition with injuries that included loss of limbs, head trauma and broken bones, officials said.

The 25 recruits and the driver were injured in the crash, which occurred just before 6:30 a.m. in suburban Whittier, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

“It looked like an airplane wreck,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a morning news conference. “There was so many bodies scattered everywhere in different states of injury that it was pretty traumatic for all individuals involved.”

At least five recruits had critical injuries, four recruits had moderate injuries and 14 others had minor injuries, said Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Sheila Kelliher.

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

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Charlie Sampson said about 75 recruits were running in formation northbound in the street when the southbound vehicle veered into the opposing lane and struck the victims.

Sampson identified the driver as a 22-year-old man from suburban Diamond Bar but authorities withheld his name. Sampson said the driver was cooperating with investigators. All possibilities, ranging from an intentional act to impaired driving, will be investigated, he said.

Villanueva confirmed that the driver was not drunk at the time, based on a Breathalyzer test, which showed him with no alcohol in his system.

The training class included recruits from various law enforcement agencies, and the group of injured trainees includes two each from the Bell and Glendale police departments and one from the Pasadena Police Department. The rest were all sheriff's department trainees, Villanueva said.

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The Los Angeles County Fire Department first reported that it was responding to a mass casualty event Wednesday morning. The crash scene is near the sheriff's STARS Explorer Academy, which is in the 11500 block of Colima Road. Neighbors told reporters at the scene that recruits often run in groups through the neighborhoods near the academy.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement early Wednesday: "Our hearts are with the Los Angeles County sheriff's recruits injured this morning while training to serve their communities. Jennifer and I send our best wishes for their recovery and stand with their loved ones and colleagues at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department during this difficult time."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.