Early Saturday morning, a shocking incident in East Hollywood left at least 31 people injured when a vehicle barreled into a crowd, as reported by local emergency services.
Among the injured, three individuals are in critical condition, while six others are seriously hurt, and at least 19 have sustained minor injuries, according to authorities.
The crash took place around 2:00 a.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard, a well-known road that marks the end of the famous Route 66, often featured in songs and movies. Local reports suggest that the incident might be linked to a shooting outside The Vermont Hollywood, a nearby music venue that was hosting an event at the time.
Driver May Have Lost Consciousness
Images from the scene revealed a dark vehicle with extensive front-end damage and debris scattered across the street. Adam Van Gerpen, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, mentioned that the car initially hit a taco stand before crashing into a large group of people waiting outside the nightclub.
“There seemed to be a vehicle with an unconscious person inside,” Van Gerpen told Sky News. He also confirmed that one of the injured had suffered a gunshot wound.
Unclear Whether It Was Intentional
Sergeant Travis Ward from the LAPD’s Central Traffic Division stated that it’s too soon to say whether the crash was an accident or deliberate. He noted that the crowd, primarily made up of women, was in line to enter the club when a Nissan Versa suddenly drove into them.
Sky News later reported that the gunshot victim was actually the driver of the car. He was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. Authorities are still investigating the events leading up to this tragic incident.
