“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. The Sheriff’s Department has not released specific information about why this crash is now believed to be intentional. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said in a statement that it could not comment on the details of the case. “We have been in contact with LASD and CHP since the incident occurred,” officials wrote. “They informed our office late yesterday that they would not be presenting a case at this time and would be releasing the suspect. We cannot comment on the evidence in this case as it is an ongoing investigation.” The supervisor in charge of the case said this incident required a complex investigation that included documenting and analyzing the interview of more than 75 witnesses, as well as processing multiple security videos — some of which were of poor quality. The California Highway Patrol is processing the on-board computer of the Honda SUV involved in the crash to determine the events leading up to the crash. Whittier, CA – November 16: Ten Los Angeles County Sheriff’s cadets were injured Wednesday morning when a driver plowed into them during a morning jog 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 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. Gutierrez’s attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, said she expects the investigation to reveal the crash was a tragic accident. “All we know at this point is that this is a terrible tragedy and we all wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the District Attorney’s office wrote in a statement. “Beyond that, we cannot comment further as the Sheriff has not presented a case to our office.” CBSLA staff The CBS LA staff is a team of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSLA.com.