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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s recruit who was struck by an SUV during a training run last year has died, authorities said.
Alejandro Martinez, 27, died Friday of injuries suffered Nov. 16 in Whittier, the sheriff’s department said.
He was one of 25 cadets injured when a vehicle veered into about 75 recruits, from the sheriff’s department and several police agencies, who were running in formation.
The SUV driver was identified as a 22-year-old man from Diamond Bar. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer but authorities later released him, saying more investigation was needed.
The man reportedly said he was driving to work around 6:25 a.m. and fell asleep before his SUV veered into the wrong lane and struck the runners. His attorney said he has no animosity toward law enforcement and that it was a tragic accident.
The group of recruits were escorted by two patrol cars as they ran in the roadway. When they were about a mile into the run, the cars fell back to allow the runners to make a turn and were behind them when the SUV came across the lanes. After striking the group, the vehicle hit a light post and stopped. Its driver suffered minor injuries.
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