Several people were treated for injuries on Monday afternoon after a car ran into pedestrians outside the L.A. Convention Center, where the L.A Auto show is currently taking place, reports KTLA.
Officer Mike Lopez told LAist that the incident happened near the intersection of Figueroa and Pico, and that none of the injuries were life-threatening. KTLA reports that the pedestrians were standing on or near the sidewalk.
The LAFD first reported the incident at 1:13 p.m. The department says that eight adults were treated for injuries by paramedics; six of them were later transported to a local hospital. Among those escorted to the hospital was the male driver of the vehicle, who was initially reported to have denied medical assistance. LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey points out that, regarding the eight who were injured, it can not yet be assumed that all of them had come in contact with the car. "They were all believed to be involved with the incident, whether they were struck by the car, or they were pushed by someone running away. Or maybe someone had tripped and fell as they were running," said Humphrey.
It is not immediately known if the car, which seems to be a red Fiat, has any connection with the Auto Show. Several outlets had aerial footage of the scene:
The L.A. Auto Show, which has been in existence since the early 1900s, serves a platform on which carmakers showcase their latest releases, as well upcoming projects. The show takes place annually at the Convention Center, and is currently running through November 27.
[Update: 4:28 p.m.]
Lopez tells LAist that, drawing from a preliminary investigation, the LAPD believes that the incident was the result of a mishap. Investigators say the driver had been test driving the electric Fiat 500 when he drove it into a pole and a big flower pot. Fragments from the pot struck the nearby pedestrians, which was how they sustained the injuries. Lopez says that, at the moment, the department does not believe that any of the pedestrians were directly struck by the vehicle.
