In a devastating incident on I-580 near Altamont Pass in California, an out-of-control motorhome crashed into 19 cars, causing chaos on the road. The driver responsible for the incident has now been charged with vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing great bodily injury.
The driver, Nicholas Gutierrez, 23, has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in state prison. Tests conducted did not find any indication that Gutierrez was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The incident occurred during a training run for Los Angeles County sheriff’s recruits. Around 75 recruits, from the county Sheriff’s Department and several local police agencies, were running in formation near Whittier when an SUV veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided with the cadets. The SUV then crashed into a pole, resulting in severe injuries for 25 cadets, including broken bones and head injuries. Tragically, one of the cadets, Alejandro Martinez, passed away in July after being hospitalized for eight months.
Current Sheriff Robert Luna expressed that the felony charges brought against Gutierrez are an important step towards justice for Deputy Alejandro Martinez’s family and all the injured recruits. The investigation did not find any evidence of drugs or alcohol in Gutierrez’s system.
In an interview with KNBC-TV, Gutierrez claimed that he fell asleep at the wheel while heading to work as an electrician installing solar panels. He expressed deep remorse for the incident, stating that he did not intentionally cause the crash and wishes it had never happened. Gutierrez and his family have committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement.
The tragic accident has left families devastated and has had a profound impact on the recruits who suffered life-altering injuries. The charges against Gutierrez aim to provide justice for the victims and their families, bringing a sense of closure to this heartbreaking incident.
