At least 31 people have been injured after a vehicle crashed into a crowd outside a nightclub in Los Angeles on Saturday morning, with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Adam Van Gerpen saying that one victim had reportedly been shot.

According to the LAFD, the vehicle collided with the pedestrians at around 2 a.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood near the intersection with Vermont Avenue.

Newsweek contacted the LAFD and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for comment on Saturday via telephone outside of regular office hours.

The Context

According to the Oaks Law Firm, there were 302 recorded traffic fatalities in Los Angeles last year, down from the 345 that occurred in 2023.

What To Know

The LAFD said seven people are in a critical condition, six in serious condition, and a further 10 in a “fair” condition, adding that the department “is coordinating patient triage and transport at this time.”

Speaking at the scene, Van Gerpen said the victims “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.”

He added: “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.”

The LAFD captain said a preliminary investigation suggested the driver might have lost consciousness before colliding with the large group of people outside the nightclub.

Van Gerpen added reports indicated one individual also suffered a gunshot wound who might have been the driver, though “we haven’t confirmed that yet.”

He said the person inside the vehicle was able to be extracted.

Meanwhile, footage posted on social media showed injured people being treated by first responders near a damaged grey car with police and fire vehicles parked down the road.

According to The Sun, there have been unconfirmed reports of a shooting taking place just prior to the crash.

What Happens Next?

The crash will be investigated by the relevant authorities in a bid to establish how it happened and whether anyone bears any criminal responsibility.