California wrong-way driver fell asleep at wheel before crashing into police recruits, says attorney

The attorney for the 22-year-old wrong-way driver accused of plowing into a jogging group of Los Angeles County police recruits said Monday that his client fell asleep at the wheel before the horrific crash.

Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez was arrested at the scene of the accident that injured 25 law enforcement recruits that were out on a training run in Whittier, near the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Service (STARS) Center. Five are still hospitalized in critical condition.

Gutierrez’s lawyer is challenging claims made last week by Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva that the young driver intentionally drove into the group of 75 recruits, reports Fox 11 Los Angeles.

"They did a thorough investigation. They interviewed dozens and dozens of witnesses and victims," Villanueva said, regarding the crash believed to be done intentionally. "That was the conclusion."

Witnesses say they heard the car accelerate as it headed toward the exercise group. 

But the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, who is investigating the crash with the California Highway Patrol, released Gutierrez on Thursday evening citing “extreme complexity” that demanded more evidence.

He had been in custody on $2 million bail.

Gutierrez's family told FOX 11 that he is a "good kid" who respects the law enforcement community because he comes from a law enforcement family.

The victims’ names have not been released. The investigation is ongoing.