3 min readUpdated: Jul 19, 2025 09:14 PM IST
At least 30 people were injured after a car rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, early Friday morning.
According to Los Angeles police, the driver of the car was found with a gunshot wound and taken to a nearby hospital. It remains unclear whether the driver was shot before or after the crash.
Speaking to ABC, Capt Adam Van Gerpen, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said the victims had been standing in line to enter Vermont Hollywood, a nightclub hosting a reggae and hip-hop event from 10 pm to 2 am. A taco cart and a valet stand were also hit by the car, identified as a Nissan Versa.
“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,” Van Gerpen said. “The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department clarified that it had coordinated transport for seven people in critical condition, six in serious condition, and 10 in fair condition. Additionally, seven individuals who were assessed at the scene declined transport to the hospital.
The department issued an update on their initial statement, saying that 124 fire personnel assisted at the scene. Police are now searching for a male suspect, described as wearing a blue jersey and carrying a silver revolver.
People inside the club rushed out to help the injured before emergency crews arrived.
Maria Medrano, who was operating a food cart outside with her husband, said a fight had broken out near the entrance shortly before the crash. She said their hot dog stand was crushed by the vehicle, narrowly missing them.
Story continues below this ad
“The car stopped once it hit the hot dog stand, it got stuck there,” she told The Associated Press from the hospital. “If not, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”
Medrano also reported hearing what sounded like gunshots after the crash: “Everyone started running,” she said.
The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a major investigation into the incident. The identity and condition of the driver have not been publicly released.
“This will be a large investigation with the LAPD,” Van Gerpen said.
A vehicle sits on the sidewalk after ramming into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025 injuring several people. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)