Driver whose car plowed into crowd outside Hollywood club injuring 23 shot and attacked by bystanders
The driver suspected of ramming his vehicle into revelers outside an East Hollywood nightclub was beaten and then shot by bystanders, police said.
Seven people are in critical condition after the driver of the Nissan Versa, who has not been identified, crashed into bystanders outside The Vermont Hollywood club at the corner of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard at around 2 a.m. Saturday.
In total, 23 people were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, police said.
LAPD Captain Ben Fernandes told the LA Times that the suspected driver was thrown out of the club earlier for being disruptive.
After he drove into the crowd, bystanders pulled him from the vehicle and started assaulting him. He was then shot from across the street by a suspect who remains at large, according to police.
“From review of the video, he went up to the sidewalk further down and when he hit bystanders it was an intentional act,” Fernandes told the outlet.
“He was pulled from the car, handcuffed by security and then beaten by bystanders before being shot in the back by an individual from across the street.”
The driver’s condition is not known.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning outside our venue,” Vermont Hollywood said in a statement. “Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department said 124 fire personnel responded to the scene when the call came in.
Revelers were leaving the club when the car mounted the sidewalk, with many standing in line for food from a nearby taco truck.
Maria Medrano, who was working a food cart outside, recalled how she and her husband narrowly escaped after the car struck their stand, crushing it.
“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 said she heard what appeared to be gunshots after the crash. “Everyone started running,” she said.
Speaking from the scene, LA Fire Department Capt. Adam VanGerpen earlier claimed that the driver lost consciousness, but the department later said they could not confirm it despite initial reports.
Footage from the scene showed dozens of emergency responders treating victims on the street.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
