Wrong-way driver hits group of L.A. County Sheriff's recruits, injuring 25


A vehicle plowed into a large group of recruits with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday morning, injuring 25 of them, officials said.
In a statement, the department said the incident occurred at approximately 6:26 a.m. PT in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier. The recruits were out jogging when the vehicle, which was reportedly traveling the wrong way, slammed into their group. "There were multiple injuries, and all victims were transported to local hospitals for further treatment," the statement said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva later provided updates at a press conference, in which he said five of the 25 recruits had been injured critically, according to The Associated Press. The most serious injuries, Villanueva said, included "head trauma, broken bones and 'loss of limb,'" per AP.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least one of the recruits also suffered cranial bleeding, a source additionally told the Los Angeles Times.
Beyond these critical injuries, there were at least 16 minor injuries and four moderate injuries, Villanueva added. Those injured were among a group of approximately 65 to 75 total recruits running along the road.
The driver of the vehicle, a Honda CRV, was identified only as a 22-year-old man who has been detained by authorities. While the cause of the crash remains unknown, ABC News reported the driver blew a 0.0 on a Breathalyzer test.
"So far, it looks like it's an accident, a horrific accident," Villanueva said, though he added that the crash remained under further investigation.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Critics' choice: Three takes on tavern dining
Feature A second Minetta Tavern, A 1946 dining experience, and a menu with a mission
By The Week US
-
Film reviews: Warfare and A Minecraft Movie
Feature A combat film that puts us in the thick of it and five misfits fall into a cubic-world adventure
By The Week US
-
What to know before lending money to family or friends
the explainer Ensure both your relationship and your finances remain intact
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Kenya arrests alleged ant smugglers
speed read Two young Belgians have been charged for attempting to smuggle ants out of the country to exotic pet buyers
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Mexico extradites 29 cartel figures amid US tariff threat
Speed Read The extradited suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought after killing a US narcotics agent
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Leonard Peltier released from prison
Speed Read The Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents had his life sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years
Speed Read The former New Jersey senator was convicted on federal bribery and corruption charges last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
What role did arsonists play in the California wildfires?
In the Spotlight Are individuals responsible for starting or worsening the blazes in Los Angeles?
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US