Video Shows 25 Sheriff's Recruits Hit By Vehicle In LA County

WHITTIER, CA — The man accused of driving the wrong-way vehicle that hit some 25 Los Angeles County Sheriff's recruits in Whitter on Wednesday has been charged with attempted murder, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22, was arrested and charged Wednesday afternoon with attempted murder of a peace officer(s), the sheriff's office said.

Wednesday's 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 sheriff's department.

“It looked like an airplane wreck,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a Wednesday 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.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following video shows a vehicle driving into a crowd of runners.

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.

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