Los Angeles County law enforcement rookie in serious condition after being hit by SUV

LOS ANGELES (AP) — One of the Los Angeles County law enforcement recruits hit by an SUV during practice last week was in deteriorating condition on Sunday, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that Alejandro Martinez “has suffered setbacks that have left him in serious condition. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Three other members of the sheriff’s academy class remained in critical condition and all others who sustained non-life-threatening injuries were released, the department said.

Seventy-five members of the academy class, which includes recruits from the sheriff and other police departments, were running in formation down a street in suburban Whittier when an SUV veered into columns on November 16, injuring 25 of them.

The SUV driver was initially arrested to investigate an attempted murder of a peace officer, but authorities later released him on the grounds that further investigation was needed. His lawyer said he had no animosity towards law enforcement and it was a tragic accident.