NORWALK, Calif. (KABC) — The man accused of ramming his car into a group of Los Angeles County sheriff’s recruits in Whittier pleaded guilty to all charges.
Nicholas Gutierrez appeared in court on Monday where a judge ordered an eight-year suspended sentence and five years of probation.
Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine felony counts of reckless driving, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said he also admitted to the allegations.
In exchange for pleading guilty to all of his charges, the terms state he will receive a suspended sentence of eight years and five years of probation.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors say he will serve the prison sentence if he violates the terms of his probation.
The recruits were on a training run in November 2022 when Gutierrez plowed into them, according to prosecutors.
Investigators say Gutierrez fell asleep while driving, drifting across traffic and going the wrong way on Mills Avenue in Whittier where a group of 76 recruits from Academy Class 464 were running.
The recruits suffered injuries ranging from minor to critical.
One recruit, 27-year-old Alejandro Martinez, died from his injuries eight months after the crash and 24 others were hurt.
Gutierrez will be sentenced on May 8.
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.