Driver Admits Guilt in Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Involving Sheriff Recruits in Whittier
Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Involving Sheriff’s Recruits
A 25-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a wrong-way crash that claimed the life of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recruit and injured several others during a training exercise in Whittier.
Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez of Diamond Bar entered his plea on Monday, admitting to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as well as nine counts of reckless driving causing specified injuries. His admissions were confirmed by prosecutors.
As part of a negotiated plea deal, Gutierrez will serve a maximum probation term of five years. However, should he violate any terms of his probation, he faces a potential prison sentence of eight years.
The crash occurred on November 16, 2022, while 76 recruits from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class 464 were running drills on Mills Avenue. Gutierrez, driving southbound, crossed into the northbound lanes and struck multiple recruits.
Detectives investigating the incident found no evidence to suggest that the crash had been intentional. They determined that Gutierrez likely fell asleep at the wheel before drifting into the opposite lanes.
In a 2022 interview with NBC4, Gutierrez described the crash as an unfortunate accident, expressing remorse for the incident. “I didn’t intentionally do it,” he stated, adding that he had dozed off on his way to work. “I wish it never happened. I feel bad it happened.”
The crash left 25 recruits injured, including ten who sustained serious injuries. Tragically, recruit Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza succumbed to his injuries eight months later, in July 2023.
