LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicholas Gutierrez, the California driver who claimed he fell asleep at the wheel, causing a fatal crash that killed one and injured 24 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s recruits last year, now faces 11 felony charges.
The charges include two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury, as announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, November 9, as per the New York Post.
DA expresses the significance of formal charges against Nicholas Gutierrez
District Attorney George Gascón expressed the significance of formal charges against Gutierrez, stating, "By bringing formal charges against Nicholas Gutierrez, the legal system takes a significant step towards seeking justice in this heartbreaking incident."
The aim, he emphasized, is to provide justice and accountability for the lives lost and forever changed due to this tragic event.
Gutierrez, initially arrested after the crash last November in Whittier, was released the next day but has now been re-arrested following the charges. His attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, asserted that Gutierrez and his family are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Kazarian stated, "Nicolas and his family are beyond devastated about this horrifically tragic accident."
Nicholas Gutierrez's collision left cadets with severe head injuries and broken limbs
On the morning of November 16, 2022, tragedy struck as 76 recruits from the LA County Sheriff’s Department and local police agencies were on a routine training run on Mills Avenue. Gutierrez, driving southbound, allegedly veered into northbound lanes, colliding head-on with the joggers before crashing into a pole.
This resulted in 25 cadets suffering injuries, including severe head injuries and broken limbs. Alejandro Martinez, a 23-year-old US Army veteran, spent eight months fighting for his life in the hospital before succumbing to his injuries in July.
Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized the importance of the felony charges, stating, "The felony filings today are a step towards justice for the family of Deputy Alejandro Martinez and all the LASD Recruits who were injured, many of whom have life-altering injuries sustained because of this tragic incident."
Tests confirm Nicholas Gutierrez was not under the influence during crash
Gutierrez has consistently maintained that the crash was an accident, attributing it to falling asleep at the wheel while driving to work as an electrician installing solar panels.
In an interview with KNBC-TV, he stated, "I woke up to the sound of [recruits] banging on the windows. I didn’t intentionally do it… I wish it never happened. I feel bad it happened." Notably, tests confirmed that Gutierrez was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
Described by his attorney as a "good kid" who lived with his parents, Gutierrez led a routine life, working and spending time at the gym.
Kazarian clarified, "He’s not a ‘party guy.'" The 23-year-old now faces an upcoming arraignment, where the prosecution will seek a bail of $500,000. If convicted, Gutierrez could potentially face up to 12 years in prison.
