25 people were hurt in the accident, which occurred after the SUV of the man crashed into 75 people who were on a jog.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed the identity and whereabouts of the man who was arrested following his SUV's collision with a group of trainees during a Wednesday training exercise.

LASD confirmed that Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22, was arrested yesterday. He was charged with attempted murder of a peace officer (or a combination thereof). Additional charges are pending.

"Homicide investigators continue their investigation and will share any additional information as it becomes possible," said the Department. They also stated that "homicide investigators plan to present this case to Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Friday to file considerations."

A group of about 75 recruits was going on a jog in Whittier when a Honda CR-V traveling in the wrong direction crashed into them. After the vehicle struck a light pole, the driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. A breathalyzer was used at the scene by Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Gutierrez's reading was 0.0.

It is not known what caused the crash.

Villanueva stated Wednesday that 25 of the 25 injured cadets sustained minor injuries, while four suffered moderate injuries, five sustained serious injuries, and five were seriously injured. Villanueva stated that several recruits sustained "life-altering injuries" including head trauma, fractures, and loss of limbs. One of the injured was put on a ventilator.

According to the LA Times two people are still in critical condition while seven others remain hospitalized as at Thursday.

Villanueva stated that one witness said the scene looked "like an airplane wreck".

"There were so many bodies dispersed all over in various states of injury that it made it pretty traumatizing for everyone involved," he said, adding that those with serious injuries will have a long road to recovery.

He also mentioned that one of the recruits had been an RN, and could immediately start giving first aid. Another fire station was located just half a block away. This allowed for more assistance to arrive almost immediately. He said, "That was also fortunate. So things that worked in favor of us happened."

He concluded, "Let's just continue praying everyone has speedy recovery."

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Title: Man Arrested After SUV Plows Into Sheriff's Recruits Charged with Attempted Murder
Sourced From: toofab.com/2022/11/17/nicholas-joseph-gutierrez-arrested/
Published Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:24:40 +0000

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