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Driver Pleads Guilty in 2022 Whittier Wrong-Way Crash That Hit L.A. Sheriff’s Recruits

The deal emphasizes negligent driving rather than an intentional attack based on investigators’ finding that he likely fell asleep.

Overview

  • Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez pleaded guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine felony counts of reckless driving.
  • The court placed him on five years of probation under a negotiated sentence that triggers an eight-year prison term if he violates any terms.
  • Prosecutors said he admitted all allegations, resolving the case stemming from a training run crash involving Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy recruits.
  • Investigators concluded the collision was unintentional and likely caused by him falling asleep, and deputies reported a zero reading on a Breathalyzer at the scene.
  • The Nov. 16, 2022 crash on Mills Avenue injured 25 recruits, including 10 who were seriously hurt, and recruit Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza died of his injuries eight months later.