Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
25 LA Sheriff Recruits Injured After Car Crashed Into Group Training Run In South Whittier
An SUV involved in a morning crash Wednesday is examined by law enforcement. Officials said the driver of the vehicle that crashed into a training run for law enforcement recruits had a negative field sobriety test.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
More than two dozen law enforcement recruits were injured Wednesday morning when a car struck an even larger group out for a training run in South Whittier right around sunrise.
Authorities said the runners were largely recruits for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, with some trainees from other departments. The crash took place near the LASD's STARS Explorer Training Academy.
Five of those struck are in critical condition at hospitals — one of them is on a ventilator. Four other people are in moderate and stable condition, and 16 suffered minor injuries, according to authorities.
What We Know About The Crash
The 25 recruits were struck by a car which crossed over from the opposite side of Mills Road north of Telegraph Road. A 22-year old driver was taken into custody. Authorities said the man's field sobriety test was negative, and the cause of the crash is unknown.
Support for LAist comes from
All but 10 of the 75 trainees on the run were from the Sheriff's department, officials said. The others were from local departments including Bell, Glendale, Pasadena, El Segundo, and UCLA.
The collision took place around 6:30 a.m., basically the same time as sunrise. Department staff say the recruits were running in formation and shepherded by two black and white safety vehicles and eight people guarding the road wearing reflective safety vests.
What We Know About The Injuries
Sheriff Alex Villanueva spoke to reporters at UCI Hospital, where some of the injured were taken.
"The range of injuries we have obviously are head trauma, we have broken bones, we've had some loss of limb," he said. "These are life-threatening injuries."
He said of the collision:
Support for LAist comes from
"It looks like it's an accident, horrific accident, but we can't know that for sure until the CHP does their investigation and reaches a conclusion based on all the evidence they still have yet to gather."
At a news conference, Interim L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone called the incident "a tragedy for the county family."
He said the entire fire department staff "are keeping our Sheriff's sisters and brothers in our thoughts and prayers."
Pat McDonald, the captain of LASD's training bureau, said the run was a standard part of the department's 22-week training program.
The driver struck a light pole, which ultimately stopped his car.
"Thank God for that light pole," said McDonald, "because the vehicle ultimately hit it and stopped as opposed to possibly hitting more recruits."
Updated November 16, 2022 at 2:27 PM PST
This developing story has been updated as new information became available.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist