Man pleads guilty to fatal wrong-way crash involving la sheriff recruits

A 25-year-old man pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges Monday related to a horrific 2022 crash that killed a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recruit and injured over two dozen others.

Nicholas gutierrez admits gross negligence in fatal wrong-way collision

The violent wreck occurred while 76 members of the LASD Sheriff's Academy Class 464 were on a training run in Whittier. Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, who was driving in the opposite direction, crossed into the northbound lanes and struck multiple recruits, the DA's Office said.

Gutierrez, of Diamond Bar, pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine counts of reckless driving causing injury. He faces a suspended eight-year prison term and five years of probation if convicted.

Prosecutors initially suspected the crash was intentional, but a lengthy investigation found no evidence to support that claim. Instead, detectives believe Gutierrez likely fell asleep at the wheel.