Driver Who Injured Dozens of Law Enforcement Recruits Released From Jail

The man who drove into a crowd of sheriff and police recruits has been released.

For the time being at least.

Investigators believe Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, 22, deliberately plowed into his unsuspecting victims early Wednesday morning. Twenty-five were injured, including five critically. No updates on their condition have been released.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said that the case should go to prosecutors. However, Gutierrez was released to give investigators time to collect more evidence for additional charges.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department must usually give the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office a case within 48 hours of a suspect's arrest.

As CNN reports:

“It's not like they arrested the wrong suspect,” Deputy Deanna Mares told CNN late Thursday. “They just want to make sure the investigation is going to be complete.”

Officers reported that Gutierrez didn't appear impaired. A breathalyzer test confirmed he was sober and there were no visible skid marks at the scene.

Gutierrez's lawyer maintains the collision was a “tragic accident.” CNN continues:

CNN has requested comment from Alexandra Kazarian, an attorney for Gutierrez who told CNN affiliate KABC Thursday, “I have no doubt that an in-depth investigation will confirm that Nicholas is a hard-working young man who holds no animosity towards law enforcement, and this was an absolutely tragic accident.”

Those injured include recruits from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, along with the Pasadena, Glendale and Bell police departments. Recruits from the El Segundo and University of California, Los Angeles police departments were also present but not hurt.

The 75 recruits, all wearing white T-shirts and green shorts, were on what sheriff's Capt. Ted McDonald of the department's training bureau described as a “typical run,” part of the department's 22-week training course. They were accompanied by two safety vehicles and were running in four lines when they were hit, McDonald said.

The crash occurred 500 feet from a fire station, a factor officials say saved the lives of the most critically injured recruits.

This is a breaking news story. Check back with American Liberty News for the latest updates.

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