California recruit hit by wrong-way driver in grave condition: LASD

LA County Sheriff's recruit in grave condition after Whittier crash

One of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's recruits is believed to be in grave condition after being hit by an SUV while jogging with a group of cadets in the Whittier area.

WHITTIER, Calif. - One of the five Los Angeles County law enforcement cadets critically injured by an SUV while on a training run in Whittier last Wednesday has suffered setbacks and is in "grave condition," sheriff's officials said Sunday.

"Alejandro Martinez, has suffered setbacks that have left him in grave condition. Please keep him and his family in your prayers," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said on social media.

Martinez has since been transferred to Ronald Reagan UCLA medical Center with serious head trauma, according to FOX 11's sources.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Martinez's medical bills.

Four recruits remain in critical condition and all others have been released, officials added.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: California wrong-way driver crashes into 25 law enforcement recruits; 5 in critical condition

In addition to the five who remain hospitalized, four had moderate injuries and 16 had minor injuries at the time of the incident. Twenty-five recruits in total were injured.

Cadet hit by wrong-way driver in 'grave condition'

Four recruits remain in critical condition and one "suffered setbacks" and is in grave condition, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said

About 75 recruits, from the LASD and several local police agencies, were running in formation in the street just before 6:30 a.m. in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier when the driver veered into the wrong lane and struck the runners before crashing into a nearby light pole, authorities said.

The driver, Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, of Diamond Bar, was released late Thursday. Authorities said a field sobriety test performed on the driver was negative.

25 cadets injured during training run crash in Whittier

Twenty five law enforcement cadets were injured during a training run when a wrong-way driver plowed into the formation in Whittier. At least five of the cadets were critically injured.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA County Sheriff's cadet who survived Whittier crash could face foot amputation, family friend says

"Due to the extreme complexity of the investigation, which includes ongoing interviews, video surveillance review, and additional evidence needed to be analyzed, homicide investigators have released Mr. Gutierrez from the Sheriff’s Department custody," the LASD said in a statement.

Gutierrez had been in custody on $2 million bail on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer.

State law only allows authorities to hold a suspect in custody for 48 hours unless criminal charges are filed by prosecutors.

Witnesses describe horrific crash after law enforcement recruits were hit in Whittier

Whittier residents described what they saw after law enforcements recruits were hit by a car during their morning run.

The charge of attempted murder of a peace officer requires evidence that the crime was intentional rather than that someone was mistaken or distracted or otherwise did not mean to commit the act. Since the crash, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has accused Gutierrez of intentionally hitting the cadets:

Villanueva doubles down on accusing Whittier crash driver of intentionally hitting cadets

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is doubling down on accusing Nicholas Gutierrez of intentionally hitting a group of law-enforcement recruits in the Whittier area.

The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.

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