Wrong-way California driver released after allegedly plowing into 25 law enforcement recruits - FOX 11 Los Angeles

WHITTIER, Calif. - The saga involving the 22-year-old operator accused of plowing into 25 instrumentality enforcement recruits from assorted agencies crossed Los Angeles County with a Honda CR-V portion driving the incorrect mode successful Whittier continues to instrumentality bizarre turns.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed aft 10 p.m. Thursday that Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez is backmost connected the streets. The announcement comes hours aft Gutierrez was taken into custody and was arrested for the attempted execution of a bid officer(s) and whitethorn person been nether the power of a recreational cause erstwhile the clang occurred. 

According to LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, the investigations near authorities believing that the clang was intentional.

"They did a thorough investigation. They interviewed dozens and dozens of witnesses and victims," Villanueva said, regarding the clang believed to beryllium done intentionally. "That was the conclusion." 

In spite of Villanueva's conclusion, LASD told FOX 11 aboriginal successful the nighttime that Gutierrez was released owed to the information that investigators are looking for much evidence.

Gutierrez, who lives successful Diamond Bar, whitethorn look further charges and is scheduled to look successful tribunal connected Friday. Despite the abrupt release, the charges are pending.

The California Highway Patrol said the collision was reported astatine 6:25 a.m. Wednesday adjacent the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road. CHP Capt. Charlie Sampson said the operator was going southbound connected Mills Avenue erstwhile helium veered into the opposing lanes and struck the victims going northbound portion retired connected a greeting grooming run. 

The members of Academy Class 464 be the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center located successful the 11500 artifact of Colima Road, astir a mile and a fractional from the clang site.

Gutierrez underwent a sobriety trial astatine the country and Villanueva aboriginal confirmed helium passed the breathalyzer test. He suffered insignificant injuries successful the horrific collision and was hospitalized. 

RELATED: What we cognize astir the California operator who deed 25 instrumentality enforcement recruits successful LA County

Gutierrez's household told FOX 11 that helium is simply a "good kid" who respects the instrumentality enforcement assemblage due to the fact that helium comes from a instrumentality enforcement family. 

A video taken from the country shows the moments the cadets were hit, leaving 25 injured. Sixteen recruits suffered insignificant injuries, 4 had mean injuries, and 5 were critically injured. 

The cadets were rushed, including 2 who were airlifted, to assorted hospitals crossed LA and Orange counties including UCI Medical Center successful the metropolis of Orange, St. Francis Medical Center successful Lynwood, LAC+USC Medical Center successful Boyle Heights, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center successful 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 PD
• 2 injured with Glendale PD
• 20 injured with LASD

The names of the victims person not been released and Villanueva said immoderate of them look a agelong roadworthy to recovery.

RELATED: How you tin assistance California instrumentality enforcement recruits from the LA County crash

The probe is ongoing.

Anyone who is capable to supply further accusation oregon witnessed the clang is asked to interaction the LASD's Homicide Bureau astatine 323-890-5500.