SOUTH WHITTIER, Calif. (KNX) - More than 20 L.A. County Sheriff's cadets were hit by a vehicle Wednesday morning while jogging in the south Whittier area, police confirmed.
The motorist was taken into police custody near the scene of the crash, which was reported about 6:30 a.m. near Mills Avenue and Trumball Street.
Paramedics rushed several injured cadets to hospitals and set up triage care at the scene. Many of those who were injured were in critical condition, the City News Service reported.
Captain Shiela Kelliher with Los Angeles County Fire said during a morning presser 22 cadets were injured. Five cadets were reported to be in critical condition, four in moderate condition and 14 had minor injuries.
During a 10 a.m. presser, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said 25 cadets were injured with five in critical condition. He added that the most severely injured recruits are facing "life-altering injuries." Injuries included head trauma, broken bones and loss of limb.
Villanueva noted the training class included recruits from other law enforcement agencies, including two each from the Bell and Glendale police departments and one from the Pasadena Police Department. The rest were all sheriff's department trainees.
Officials said the 22-year-old male driver did have minor injuries and that he was taken into custody. The driver's name was not released due to the ongoing investigation, but it was revealed he is from Diamond Bar. The driver was the only occupant in the car.
Kelliher told KNX News the man was driving on the wrong side of the road. The girlfriend of one of the recruits who was hit told KNX News her boyfriend said the driver still had his foot on the gas pedal. Her boyfriend allegedly tried to break the window of the SUV to get to the driver.
Villanueva said a field sobriety test was performed and that it came out negative.
Officials told City News Service the car was reportedly going 30 to 40 mph at the time.
Local law enforcement agencies have lent their support to the sheriff's department.
"Our thoughts are with those impacted by this morning's events involving the Sheriff's Recruits," the Los Angeles Police Department tweeted.
"We are praying for the LASD recruits involved in today's accident in Whittier," the Pomona Police Department tweeted.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement, "Our hearts are with the Los Angeles County sheriff's recruits injured this morning while training to serve their communities. 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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