“Some recruits are saying they heard the car accelerating, they estimate around 30 to 40 miles per hour,” Villanueva said. “You can see how little reaction time that allows someone.”
There seemed to be no reason for the driver’s behavior. And after hitting many recruits the vehicle hit a light pole and knocked it over.
LAPD Capt. Pat MacDonald, who heads up the department’s training bureau said that the light pole may have saved lives. “There was a light pole on the east side of the street and the one thing that was relayed to me was, ‘Thank God for that light pole’ because the vehicle ultimately hit it and stopped as opposed to possibly hitting more recruits.
The driver is said to have suffered minor injuries. He was given a field sobriety test shortly after the crash. And “blew a 0.0.” meaning he had not had any alcohol. Gutierrez was not tested for drugs.
Villanueva said the official cause of the incident is pending until the investigation closes.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating traffic violations. And additional charges are expected Friday when the case goes to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office on Friday.
