WHITTIER, Calif. – The saga involving the 22-year-old driver accused of plowing through 25 recruits from various agencies across Los Angeles County in a Honda CR-V while driving the wrong way in Whittier continues to take strange turns. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed after 10 p.m. Thursday that Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez is back on the streets. The announcement comes hours after Gutierrez was taken into custody and arrested for attempted murder of a peace officer and may have been under the influence of a recreational drug when the crash occurred. According to LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, investigations have led authorities to believe the crash was intentional. “They did a thorough investigation. They interviewed dozens and dozens of witnesses and victims,” Villanueva said of the crash, which is believed to have been intentional. “That was the bottom line.”
Authorities track down California driver accused of assaulting law enforcement recruits
The suspect was identified as Nicolas Joseph Gutierrez of Diamond Bar and his bail was set at $2 million. Despite Villanueva’s conclusion, LASD told FOX 11 later in the evening that Gutierrez was released due to the fact that investigators are looking for more evidence. Gutierrez, who lives in Diamond Bar, may face additional charges and is scheduled to appear in court Friday. Despite the sudden release, charges are pending. The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at 6:25 a.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road. CHP Chief Charlie Sampson said the driver was heading south on Mills Avenue when he veered into opposing lanes and struck the victims who were heading north while out for a morning workout. Members of Academy Class 464 attend the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services Center (STARS) located in the 11500 block of Colima Street, about a mile and a half from the crash site. Gutierrez was given a field sobriety test at the scene and Villanueva later confirmed that he passed the breathalyzer test. He was slightly injured in the horrific collision and taken to hospital. RELATED: What We Know About California Driver Who Hit 25 Los Angeles County Recruits Gutierrez’s family told FOX 11 he is a “good kid” who respects the law enforcement community because he comes from a law enforcement family. A video taken from the scene shows the moments the cadets were hit, resulting in 25 injuries. Sixteen recruits were slightly injured, four were moderately injured, and five were seriously injured.
SUV crashes into California law enforcement recruits
Surveillance video shows the moments the wrong-way SUV driver runs into a group of law enforcement recruits representing parts of Southern California. WARNING: Video is graphic and not suitable for all viewers. The cadets were rushed, including two who were airlifted, to various hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange counties, including UCI Medical Center in Orange City, St. Francis in Lynwood, LAC+USC Medical Center in Boyle Heights, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance and PIH Health Whittier Hospital. Academy Class 464 consists of 75 recruits for the LASD, Bell PD, Glendale PD, Pasadena PD and the UCLA Police Department. Of the 25 injured, Villanueva said:
1 injured with Pasadena PD 2 injured with Bell P.D 2 injured with Glendale PD 20 wounded with LASD
The names of the victims have not been released, and Villanueva said some of them face a long road to recovery.
‘Long road to recovery’: Sheriff Villanueva reacts to tragic Whittier crash
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he visited many of the cadets who were injured in a crash during a training session and that many have a long road to recovery. RELATED: How You Can Help California Law Enforcement Recruits From Los Angeles County Crash The investigation is ongoing. Anyone able to provide additional information or who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
