In This Article

  • Incident Overview
  • Victim Injuries and Response
  • Driver and Suspect Details
  • Scene and Investigation
  • Official Statements

Key Takeaways

  • Thirty people were injured, including seven critically, after a vehicle crashed into a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub hosting a reggae and hip-hop event.
  • The driver allegedly struck a taco stand, valet podium, and crowd before being shot by a suspect who fled the scene; the driver’s intoxication is under investigation.
  • Authorities describe the armed suspect as a bald Hispanic man in a blue jersey with a silver revolver and continue searching for him.
  • Bystanders forcibly removed the driver from the vehicle, and chaos ensued with debris and a police presence at the scene.
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident a 'heartbreaking tragedy' and confirmed a full investigation is underway to determine the crash's circumstances.

Thirty individuals were injured, including seven critically, after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd waiting outside a nightclub in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, early Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM local time as patrons, predominantly women, queued to enter the Vermont Hollywood music venue.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), six victims sustained serious injuries, while the remaining suffered varying degrees of harm. The driver of the Nissan Versa allegedly struck a taco stand, a valet podium, and then the crowd before being forcibly removed from the vehicle by bystanders. Reports indicate that one assailant shot the driver, who was subsequently hospitalized for surgery. His current condition remains undisclosed.

Authorities revealed that the suspect who fired the gun fled the scene on foot. Described as a bald Hispanic man wearing a blue jersey, he is believed to be armed with a silver revolver. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is actively investigating the incident, with preliminary information suggesting the driver may have been intoxicated.

Images from the scene depict a grey car on the sidewalk surrounded by debris, with a significant police presence. The nightclub was hosting a reggae and hip-hop event at the time of the crash.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the incident as a "heartbreaking tragedy" and assured the public that a full investigation is underway. "The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning," she stated in a press release.

LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen, speaking at the scene, emphasized the chaos that ensued. "It was a very chaotic scene," he said, noting that numerous bystanders rushed to aid the injured. All victims were transported to nearby hospitals or trauma centers for treatment.

The LAPD continues to search for the armed suspect and is working to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crash.

Tags:

#Los Angeles #investigation #Injuries #Car Accident #nightclub