LOS ANGELES, CA – 22 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recruits were injured after they were shockingly run over while out on their morning run by a wrong-way driver on Wednesday, according to authorities.
The incident took place near Mills Avenue and Trumball Street in the South Whittier area at approximately 6:29 a.m., when the Los Angeles County Fire Department – who responded to the scene – said that the recruits were stuck by a 22 year-old driver while out on a training exercise who drove the wrong way down the street.
Police say that after hitting the recruits, the driver also crashed into a light pole. It is currently unknown if the driver – whose identity has not yet been revealed – has been placed under arrest or not.
Five of the recruits are reportedly in critical condition, where four others are being treated for moderate injuries, with the remaining 14 having sustained only minor injuries. The driver is among the injured as well, having received minor injuries during the crash, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesperson Captain Sheila Kelliher.
After the incident took place, the street was swarmed with multiple Sheriff’s vehicles as well as several fire trucks and ambulances; reports indicate that Paramedics sent up a triage area at the scene and that recruits were receiving medical attention in the middle of the street by first responders.
The crash happened approximately one mile from the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center, the recruits’ training facility located in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier. The recruits typically wear high-visibility vests when off campus and engaging in training exercises, reports say.
The LA Sheriff’s Department issued a statement about the incident on their Facebook page, giving details and expressing condolences and support for the victims.
“Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Recruit class assigned to the STAR Explore Training Academy, Whittier, were struck by a moving vehicle at approximately 6:26 am on the 10600 block of Mills Avenue during their run while on training,” the statement said. “There were multiple injuries, and all victims were transported to local hospitals for further treatment. Currently, it is unknown the severity of their injuries. The vehicle’s driver that struck the recruits was detained pending further investigation.”
“There is no additional information available at this time,” the statement added. “We pray for the recovery of all the recruits.”
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