LOS ANGELES — The driver of an SUV that crashed into Los Angeles County law enforcement recruits during a training session last week said they did not mean it, a television station reported Monday.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” says Nicholas Gutierrez, 22, NBC4LA in an interview with his family. “I wish it never happened. I feel bad it happened.
Gutierrez was arrested on suspicion of killing a peace officer but was suddenly released. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said further investigation is needed.
The November 16 crash injured 25 members of the sheriff’s academy class, some of whom are in critical condition. Authorities said Sunday that a recruit, Alejandro Martinez, was in serious condition..
The collision occurred as the police chief and police recruits ran in formation on a street. Authorities said the SUV went in the opposite direction and hit the recruits, then hit a power pole.
Gutierrez’s attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, said in a statement Friday that her client was on her way to work at the time of the collision and had no drugs or alcohol on her, NBC4LA reported. Police sources said he made a “spontaneous statement” shortly after the collision. Sources say that Gutierrez said he was following turn-by-turn directions from his mobile phone on an unfamiliar route on his way to work.
Kazarian said: “Nicholas comes from a proud law enforcement family and the wounds inflicted on these new recruits are heartbreaking.
