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A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub on a busy boulevard in Los Angeles’ East Hollywood area, injuring 30 people.
Local officials say the victims were transported to local hospitals and trauma centres to receive medical attention. At least three people sustained critical injuries while eight to ten others were in serious condition.
It later emerged that the driver was shot, according to Los Angeles police, who were searching for a suspected gunman who fled the scene.
It was not immediately clear if the driver had been shot before or after the crash or why he drove into the crowd, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said.
The car, a compact civilian vehicle, drove into a line of people – mostly women – before slamming into a taco truck and valet stand.
Adam Van Gerpen, public information officer for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, said “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.”
“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.
People inside the night venue – The Vermont – came out to help as emergency response officials were en route.
It was not immediately clear if the incident was an accident or intentional. Authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the cause behind the ramming, which occurred on Santa Monica Boulevard.
“This is under police investigation,” said Van Gerpen. “This will be a large investigation with the [Los Angeles Police Department] LAPD.”
Additional sources • AP