Nicholas Gutierrez Charged a Year After Fatal Crash Involving LA Sheriff’s Recruits

Gutierrez, who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted for the incident that killed one recruit and injured 24 others.

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, nearly a year after the fatal crash that killed one recruit and injured 24 others.
The incident occurred in Whittier, California, when Gutierrez allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and drove in the wrong direction, hitting a group of recruits from various California law enforcement departments who were on a training run.
One of the injured trainees, Alejandro Martinez, 27, died of his injuries eight months after the crash. Nine of the recruits were critically injured.
Gutierrez, who has family in law enforcement, surrendered to authorities and has been cooperative. He was initially arrested after the crash but was released due to insufficient initial complaint.
Gutierrez's attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, stated that he showed no signs of impairment at the time of the crash and blew a zero in a Breathalyzer test. She also mentioned that Gutierrez fell asleep while driving to work on the day of the crash.
If convicted on all charges, Gutierrez could face a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. His arraignment is set for Tuesday.