The driver of an SUV veered into the wrong lane and plowed through dozens of Los Angeles County sheriff’s academy recruits running in formation during a training exercise early on Wednesday, injuring 25 of the cadets, authorities said.
The most serious injuries included head trauma, broken bones and “loss of limb,” said Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Five people were critically injured, four had moderate injuries and 16 had minor injuries, he said.
Photo: AFP
“So far, it looks like it’s an accident, a horrific accident,” Villanueva said, adding that he was told the scene looked like the aftermath of an airplane wreck.
Running shoes and a backpack were strewn on the ground. Close by was also a 40kph speed limit sign.
“There were so many bodies scattered everywhere in different states of injury that it was pretty traumatic for all individuals involved,” Villanueva said.
About 75 recruits from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and several local police agencies were running in formation in the street just before 6:30am in the suburb of Whittier when the driver veered into the wrong lane and struck the runners before crashing into a nearby light pole, authorities said.
“Thank God for that light pole, because the vehicle ultimately hit it and stopped, as opposed to possibly hitting more recruits,” Captain Patrick Macdonald of the academy said.
The driver was only identified as a 22-year-old man from the Diamond Bar suburb who suffered a minor injury. The sheriff said a field sobriety test on the driver was negative.
California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Charlie Sampson said officials were looking at all possibilities, ranging from an intentional act to impaired driving.
The recruits were in their eighth week and had 14 more weeks to go.
“I am personally heart sick,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said, adding that she was focusing her thoughts on the cadets who were injured.
The recruits were running in four columns with two black-and-white radio cars and eight “road guards” wearing reflective vests, Macdonald said.
They had completed about 2.4km of a typical 5.6km training run and were wearing white T-shirts and green shorts, he said.
Deputies received help from a nearby county fire station, but also immediately transported some of the most badly injured directly to hospitals, possibly saving their lives, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
“Our hearts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s recruits injured this morning while training to serve their communities,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Jennifer and I send our best wishes for their recovery and stand with their loved ones and colleagues at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time.”
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