Car plows into crowd in East Hollywood, injuring over 20

A serious incident unfolded in East Hollywood, densely populated neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California, on the morning of July 19 when a car drove into a crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard, injuring at least 20 people.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue around 2:00 a.m. local time, where the vehicle had mounted the sidewalk and crashed into a group of people gathered outside The Vermont venue and a nearby gas station, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

Initial reports indicate that five individuals are in critical condition, eight to ten are seriously injured, and around a dozen others sustained minor injuries.

Debris was scattered across the road as crowds milled about in the aftermath of the incident. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed it was actively coordinating triage and transport for the injured.

The incident may have followed an outbreak of violence in the area. According to unconfirmed eyewitness accounts, a fight reportedly involving around 15 people broke out prior to the collision, and shots may have been fired. Police confirmed that a 911 call was received reporting gunfire in the vicinity during the altercation.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the crash was accidental or intentional, and investigations are ongoing.

By Tamilla Hasanova