SEE AMAZON.COM DEALS FOR TODAY
The County of Los Angeles will lower flags to half-staff to honor Alejandro Martinez, a law enforcement recruit who died eight months after a driver crashed into a group of recruits. Martinez suffered severe injuries from the crash and later passed away. The driver has been accused of intentionally targeting the group. The flags will remain at half-staff until memorial services are completed. Travis Schlepp reported
County of Los Angeles Honors Fallen Law Enforcement Recruit Alejandro Martinez
In a solemn tribute, the County of Los Angeles has announced that flags will be flown at half-staff on county property to honor the memory of Alejandro Martinez. Martinez tragically passed away last week, eight months after a devastating incident in South Whittier, where a driver plowed through a group of law enforcement recruits during a training run.
On November 16, 2022, Martinez and numerous other law enforcement recruits, primarily from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, were struck by a wrong-way driver, resulting in injuries to 25 individuals. Martinez suffered severe injuries, including broken legs, brain swelling, and internal bleeding. Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the Army veteran and LASD recruit succumbed to his injuries at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
The driver responsible for the incident has been identified as Nicholas Gutierrez, a 22-year-old from Diamond Bar. While some authorities have accused him of intentionally targeting the group of recruits, his attorney has argued that he fell asleep at the wheel. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors chair Janice Hahn has ordered all flags at county facilities to be lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect for Alejandro Martinez. Hahn expressed her deep condolences, stating, “His passing, months after that terrible crash, is nothing short of a tragedy. Our county owes Alejandro a great debt of gratitude we can never repay.”
A procession was held on Friday night, with deputies and law enforcement escorting Martinez’s body from the hospital to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office in Boyle Heights. The flags will remain at half-staff until all memorial services have been completed.
The loss of Alejandro Martinez serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement recruits in their dedication to serving and protecting their communities..
