In a shocking incident early Saturday morning, a vehicle crashed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles, injuring at least 30 individuals. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the driver was subsequently attacked by bystanders, while authorities confirmed that the driver had been shot.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which occurred along Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood. It remains unclear if the driver was shot before or after the incident, or what motivated him to drive into the waiting crowd. A spokesman for the LAPD stated that the investigation is ongoing and that they are searching for a suspected gunman who fled the scene.
According to police reports, 23 victims were transported to local hospitals and trauma centers following the incident. Among the injured, at least three individuals are reported to be in critical condition. Fire Captain Adam Van Gerpen described the scene, indicating that a line of predominantly female patrons was waiting to enter the Vermont Hollywood nightclub when the vehicle, a Nissan Versa, struck them. The car also collided with a taco truck and a valet stand, significantly impacting the area.
“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,” Van Gerpen explained. “The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle.” Emergency personnel reported that club patrons rushed to assist the injured before first responders arrived on the scene.
The driver, who was found with a gunshot wound, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. However, police have not disclosed his identity or current condition. Witnesses described the shooter as a man wearing a blue jersey and wielding a silver revolver. “This is under police investigation,” Van Gerpen confirmed. “This will be a large investigation with the LAPD.”
The Vermont Hollywood was hosting a reggae and hip hop event from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to its online calendar. Prior to the crash, a fight had reportedly erupted outside the venue. Maria Medrano, who was operating a food cart nearby, recounted the chaos that ensued. She and her husband narrowly escaped injury when the vehicle collided with their hot dog stand. “The car stopped once it hit the hot dog stand, it got stuck there,” Medrano said from the hospital. “If not, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”
Medrano also reported hearing what sounded like gunshots immediately following the crash, prompting a frantic response from the crowd. “Everyone started running,” she recalled, highlighting the sheer panic that unfolded in the moments after the incident.
This incident has raised concerns about safety in nightlife areas of Los Angeles, and as the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. The community remains shaken as they await further updates from law enforcement regarding the driver and the suspected shooter.
