At least 31 people have been injured, with seven fighting for their lives, after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians outside a nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood early Saturday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 2am local time (10am BST) near the intersection with Vermont Avenue, where dozens were queueing to enter The Vermont Hollywood nightclub.
Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Adam Van Gerpen confirmed at the scene that emergency services were treating 31 patients, with casualties being transported to multiple hospitals and trauma centres across the city. Initial reports indicated at least four to five people were in critical condition, eight to ten in serious condition, and the remainder in fair condition, though these numbers were later revised upward.
The vehicle, identified as a grey Nissan Versa, struck a taco cart and valet podium before ploughing into the crowd of predominantly female patrons waiting to enter the venue. Eyewitness accounts and police statements paint a chaotic scene, with conflicting reports about whether gunshots preceded or followed the crash.
Driver Lost Consciousness, Police Say
Captain Van Gerpen told reporters at the scene: “This morning, about 2am, firefighters were dispatched out to a traffic accident. On arrival, they found that we had a multi-casualty incident with a number of victims on scene.” He explained that the driver had apparently lost consciousness before the vehicle careered into the crowd, though the cause remained unclear.
“Apparently, there was a vehicle which had somebody who lost consciousness inside the vehicle and drove into a taco cart, and then ultimately ran into a large number of people who were outside a club in East Hollywood,” Van Gerpen stated. The captain confirmed that one patient had sustained a gunshot wound, though the identity and circumstances surrounding this injury remained under investigation.
Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Travis Ward, Central Traffic Division Watch Commander, confirmed the driver had been shot after the collision and was transported to hospital for surgery. He emphasised it was too early to determine whether the incident was intentional or accidental, stating: “This will be a large investigation with the LAPD.”
Eyewitness Accounts Conflict
Juliet Bretches, who lives near the scene, provided a dramatically different account from official statements. She told AXN News that she heard gunshots before witnessing the crash. “I live over here and I heard the gunshot. I looked out and saw a guy crash into the people, so I ran over,” Bretches said.
The eyewitness claimed the driver “deliberately” drove into the crowd and was subsequently held by security at the scene. She reported seeing the driver bleeding as he exited the wrecked vehicle, contradicting official accounts that suggested the driver had lost consciousness.
Another witness inside the nightclub told NBC News: “We look out the club, and it’s a car into the hole right there. And then it’s crazy, because people everywhere, laying down, unconscious, people, bleeding out and stuff.”
Massive Emergency Response
The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed 124 fire personnel to the scene, establishing a large-scale triage operation on Santa Monica Boulevard. Live footage from YouTube channel AXN News showed dozens of emergency responders treating victims on blankets laid across the pavement, with the damaged grey vehicle visible on the sidewalk surrounded by debris.
Captain Van Gerpen described the scene firefighters encountered: “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.”
People inside the club rushed out to assist victims in the minutes before emergency crews arrived, helping to stabilise the injured until professional medical help reached the scene. First responders were seen bringing people out of the venue and treating them outside on tarpaulins.
Venue Popular for Latin Night
The Vermont Hollywood describes itself as “LA’s new state of the art, live performance and special event venue” and had hosted an event called “Trapeton” on Friday evening, featuring trap and reggaeton music. The venue typically closes at 2am, meaning many patrons were either leaving or attempting to gain last-minute entry when the incident occurred.
Police scanner audio obtained by media outlets suggested officers were responding to a “shooting in progress” with “victims down” before the vehicle collision was reported. This has fuelled speculation about whether the incidents were connected or if multiple violent events occurred simultaneously.
The area around Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue was completely blocked off as investigators processed the scene, with traffic being diverted around the intersection for several hours. Local residents reported heavy police presence and restricted access to the neighbourhood throughout the early morning hours.
Investigation Ongoing
Sergeant Ward emphasised that determining the driver’s intent would be crucial to the investigation. “It’s too early to say if the incident was intentional or if the driver ran off the road,” he told reporters, adding that investigators would need to wait until the driver was out of surgery to conduct interviews.
The fact that the driver was shot adds another layer of complexity to the investigation. Police have not clarified whether the shooting occurred before, during, or after the vehicle struck the crowd, nor have they identified who fired the weapon.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is expected to lead the investigation, with support from the Traffic Division and potentially federal agencies if terrorism cannot be ruled out. Investigators will analyse security footage from the nightclub and surrounding businesses, interview dozens of witnesses, and examine the vehicle for mechanical issues.
Community in Shock
The East Hollywood community, known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse population, was left reeling from the incident. Many local businesses closed early on Saturday as news of the mass casualty event spread through social media.
“This is a neighbourhood where people come to have fun, to dance, to enjoy themselves,” said a local business owner who requested anonymity. “To see something like this happen right outside where we all gather is devastating.”
The incident marks one of the worst mass casualty events in Los Angeles this year and has reignited discussions about pedestrian safety in entertainment districts. City officials are expected to review security protocols for nightlife venues, particularly regarding crowd control and vehicle access to areas with high foot traffic.
Medical Response Stretched
With 31 casualties requiring immediate medical attention, Los Angeles area hospitals activated mass casualty protocols. Victims were distributed among several trauma centres to prevent any single facility from being overwhelmed. Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Hollywood Presbyterian, and UCLA Medical Center were among the hospitals receiving patients.
Hospital officials declined to provide specific updates on patient conditions, citing privacy regulations, but confirmed they were treating multiple victims from the incident. The range of injuries reportedly included trauma from vehicle impact, lacerations from debris, and at least one gunshot wound.
As the investigation continues and the injured fight for recovery, questions remain about how a night of entertainment turned into a scene of mass casualties. The true sequence of events – whether this was a tragic accident following a medical emergency, a deliberate attack, or something more complex involving gunfire – will only become clear as police piece together witness statements, forensic evidence, and the driver’s eventual testimony.
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