A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, July 19, 2025, in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, when a vehicle plowed into a crowd outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub, injuring at least 31 people and prompting a massive emergency response from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The collision occurred around 2:00 a.m. on the 4600 block of West Santa Monica Boulevard, near the intersection with Vermont Avenue, just as the nightclub was closing. A grey vehicle, driven by an individual who reportedly lost consciousness, struck a taco cart before crashing into a large group of pedestrians, many of whom were women waiting in line to enter the club or get food from the cart.
The LAFD reported that approximately 31 individuals were injured in the crash. Of those, four to five victims were in critical condition, eight to ten were in serious condition, and ten to fifteen were in fair condition. One patient was reported to have a gunshot wound, though it remains unconfirmed whether this was related to the crash. The LAFD deployed 124 personnel to the scene under incident number #0120, coordinating rapid triage and transport of victims to nearby trauma centers. Multiple ambulances were dispatched to handle the high number of casualties, and firefighters were seen carrying patients on stretchers while bystanders assisted the injured.
The chaotic scene was captured in social media footage, showing a crumpled grey vehicle on the sidewalk surrounded by debris and yellow police tape. Emergency responders, including dozens of firefighters and police officers, cordoned off the area, causing significant traffic disruptions along Santa Monica Boulevard. Eyewitnesses described panic as people fled, some running back into the nightclub to escape the chaos.
The LAPD is leading the ongoing investigation, with authorities yet to confirm whether the driver’s loss of consciousness was due to a medical emergency or other factors, such as potential foul play. Reports suggest a shooting may have occurred prior to the crash, as police scanner audio indicated a “shooting in progress” with “victims down,” but no definitive connection has been established. The driver was extricated from the vehicle, but it is unclear whether they remained at the scene or have been apprehended. No arrests or charges have been announced.
Santa Monica Boulevard was shut down for several hours as investigators processed the scene, and authorities have advised travelers to avoid routes east of Hollywood Boulevard, recommending the use of transit apps and official ride-sharing pickup points outside the crash zone. The LAFD and LAPD are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials are working to determine the full circumstances of this tragic event.
