Nearly nine people were injured after a white van plowed into an unsuspecting crowd in Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles reported. The accident occurred on Sunday, July 30, and it is believed that the culprit was under the influence of alcohol. The culprit’s van apparently jumped the curb and drove through a fence outside The Fish Spot, a popular restaurant in the mid-Wilshire area.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident took place at around 3.47 pm near The Fish Spot. According to a Fox News report, the collision left nine people injured, and one of them - a 44-year-old man was critically injured and was taken to a local hospital.
An 18-year-old and a 28-year-old woman along with a 30-year-old man were sent to the hospital in the serious state. Four other victims of the accident were transported to the hospital in fair condition.
Whereabouts of the alleged culprit
The man who was driving the car was trying to flee the scene of the accident when he was arrested by the officer. He was taken to the hospital to be checked for any medical distress. He was arrested on the charges of driving under the influence and will be questioned and prosecuted accordingly after his injuries have been tended to.
There was an off-duty Los Angeles fire department officer who was also present in the crowd at the time of the crash, but fortunately, he was not injured and the manager of the restaurant stated that cashier of the sit-in restaurant by the sidewalk sustained minor injuries.
Los Angeles fire department's statement
The initial report from the department stated that there were just seven people who were injured and taken to the hospital, but later the officers confirmed that the number of victims who were seeking medical help was actually nine.
According to witness Gustavo Pena, the driver might have jumped a red light as other cars in the lane were already moving.
In a bid to avoid colliding with other cars, the man behind the wheel swerved the other way. However, he drove through the fence and unfortunately collided with the group of people who were at the outdoor section of the restaurant
The driver is suspected to be intoxicated while he was behind the wheel during the time of the accident.
This is a felony hit-and-run case as the driver opted to flee the crime scene. If a person is found guilty in a felony hit-and-run case then they can be imprisoned for up to 15 years. Most states in the US can also impose a fine of $ 5,000 to $ 20,000.
