E-Paper
Over 30 injured as vehicle rams into crowd outside nightclub in East Hollywood
The crash occurred as mostly women waited outside the club; the car also struck a taco truck and a valet stand before coming to a stop.
A vehicle ploughed into a crowd of people waiting outside a nightclub along Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood early Saturday, injuring at least 30 people, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
According to Capt. Adam Van Gerpen, public information officer for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the victims were taken to nearby hospitals and trauma centres. At least three people were reported to be in critical condition.
The crash occurred as a line of patrons, mostly women, stood outside the nightclub. The Nissan Versa also struck a taco truck and a valet stand before coming to a halt, Van Gerpen said.
Emergency responders found one person with a gunshot wound, though authorities have yet to confirm the identity or determine whether it was connected to the crash.
“This is under police investigation,” Van Gerpen told The Associated Press. “This will be a large investigation with the LAPD.”
He added that clubgoers rushed out to help the injured in the moments before emergency services arrived.
“They were all standing in line going into a nightclub. There was a taco cart out there, so they were getting some food, waiting to go in. And there’s also a valet line there,” he said.
“The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle,” he added.
Los Angeles Fire Department said 3 are in critical, 6 in serious, and 19 in fair condition after the Santa Monica Boulevard car crash.
