(Headline USA) About two dozen law enforcement recruits for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office were injured this week after being struck by a car in Whittier, California.
As numbers ticked up throughout the morning, Fox 11 reported that the total count was 25 injured, as well as the driver.
At least five people were critically injured, four sustained moderate injuries, and 14 had minor injuries, according to an earlier estimate from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“We do conclude that majority of those that were injured were sheriff recruits, but we are not aware of the age ranges of the patients,” a statement from the Fire Department read.
The driver was a 22-year-old male who lives in Diamand Bar, Calif., but police were not releasing his name, and other details about him were not yet known.
California Highway Patrol Capt. Charlie Sampson said the suspect, driving a Honda CR-V, was going southbound on Mills Avenue when he swerved into oncoming traffic and struck the victims, who were running northbound.
Authorities confirmed the suspect passed a breathalyzer test at the scene.
“I just felt sick. Here were all those recruits on their morning run who basically got plowed into by this driver,” L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said. “We’re hoping they pull through.”
Angelica Musick, a girlfriend of one of the recruits, said the cadets believe the crash may have been intentional since the driver swerved into the opposing lanes suddenly and never hit his brakes.
“He just told us the car went straight into them and several of his classmates were severely injured,” Musick said. “The driver was still on the accelerator, so he was trying to break the car window just trying to get the driver to stop because he was still just pressing on the gas.”
Authorities have not yet said whether they believe the accident was intentional.
