Several law enforcement recruits in critical condition after being mowed down by driver in Los Angeles County – Law Officer

WHITTIER, Calif. – A group of law enforcement recruits apparently out on a class run are in critical condition after they were mowed down by a car in Whittier, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol investigating the horrific crash, which was reported at 6:30 a.m. and occurred near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road. The recruits attend the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center located in the 11500 block of Colima Road, which is less than two miles from the collision scene, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.

Authorities said the striking driver was given a series of field sobriety tests (FSTs) and was subsequently taken into custody. Charges remain unknown at the present time.

FOX 11 reports 15 victims were struck and 11 have been rushed to area trauma centers. Local police sources told Law Officer there are as many as 21 victims with 7 in critical condition, but these numbers are unofficial.

The circumstances leading up to the driver striking the class of law enforcement recruits remains under investigation, and no further details were immediately available.

A neighbor told FOX 11 that recruits often jog in the area and run in packs wearing high-visibility reflective vests during their outings on public streets.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva was reportedly enroute to area hospitals to check on the status of LASD’s recruits.

Impacted roads are expected to be closed for a substantial period of time during the investigation.

Whittier is located roughly 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

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