Shortly after dawn Wednesday, a 22-year-old driver plowed a Honda CRV right into a large group of recruits with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who were on a training run in South Whittier. Dozens were injured, no less than five of them critically, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol is leading an investigation into the crash.
Here’s what we all know to this point.
When and where did the crash occur?
Dispatchers received a call just before 6:30 a.m. a couple of crash involving pedestrians within the 10600 block of Mills Avenue, the Sheriff’s Department said.
The crash occurred near a training center for sheriff’s recruits, called STARS Center Academy in South Whittier.
Recruits were running near Mills Avenue and Trumball Street in 4 columns when a vehicle approached the group at 30 to 40 mph, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. The vehicle was traveling within the unsuitable direction, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher said.
What happened after?
Video shot by a person who lives across the road from the crash showed recruits desperately attempting to treat probably the most badly injured, who were immobilized and bloody on the bottom as smoke still spewed from the motive force’s SUV.
Voices shouting for more assistance and giving instructions could be heard as groups of the less injured gathered around those that were most seriously hurt, attempting to render aid. A few of the recruits were emergency medical technicians, and no less than one within the group was a trained nurse.
Several deputy recruits were also in a position to knock on the door of a hearth station 500 feet from the crash site and ask for help, said Anthony Marrone, interim chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
What prompted the crash?
The reason for the crash, including any motive behind it, is under investigation.
Authorities said the motive force was traveling south on Mills Road before he veered into the northbound lanes, where a gaggle of about 75 recruits was jogging in a big formation. The runners were being escorted by two black-and-white patrol cars. Eight road guards wearing reflective vests also were present.
The recruits at the pinnacle of the pack saw the SUV careening toward them and dived out of the best way, authorities said. Those toward the back of the formation didn’t see the oncoming vehicle before the motive force plowed through them after which slammed into a light-weight pole, knocking it to the bottom.
The pole stopped the automobile’s momentum and prevented the vehicle from striking other recruits, authorities said.
The motive force, who has not been identified, was detained on the scene by cadets.
Authorities detected no smell of alcohol on him, and he “blew a 0.0″ during a Breathalyzer test administered on the scene, Villanueva said.
Who’re the recruits?
The 75 sheriff’s deputy recruits are members of Class 464 with the STARS Center Academy, a training center in South Whittier. Recruits with police departments from Bell, Pasadena, El Segundo, Glendale and UCLA also were within the group that was running, Villanueva said.
Roughly 10 of the recruits are female, authorities said.
This was the group’s eighth week of coaching, Villanueva said. This system last 22 weeks.
What are the extent of the injuries?
Twenty-five recruits were injured within the crash, authorities said. No less than five were taken to hospitals in critical condition.
Villanueva called the injuries “life-altering” and said they included head trauma, broken bones and “some lack of limb.” Considered one of the five critical patients was on a ventilator.
No less than two patients were airlifted from the scene, authorities said, and brought to hospitals, including L.A. County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, PIH Health Whittier Hospital, UCI Medical Center in Orange and St. Francis Medical Center in Lynnwood.
The motive force also suffered minor injuries, including scrapes, and was transported to a hospital.
Who’s the motive force?
The motive force is a 22-year-old man from Diamond Bar. Authorities didn’t release any additional details about him Wednesday.
Investigators are looking into his background and have learned his uncle is in law enforcement. They are saying his initial behavior could suggest he was under the influence. In addition they said they found marijuana in his vehicle.
Have charges been filed?
No charges have been announced within the incident.
