An SUV crashed into a shop near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue on Friday afternoon, authorities said at least four people were seriously injured, including two journalists from a local television station.
Around 3:30 p.m., the sport utility vehicle hit five pedestrians before plowing into the glass shop of a liquor store on the southwest corner of the intersection, one of the busiest and most famous intersections in Hollywood. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, five people were taken to a trauma center, at least four of whom were listed in serious to critical condition.
All those injured in the incident were in stable condition early Friday night, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore wrote on Twitter.
Among the injured were a FOX 11 Los Angeles reporter and a photographer, the television station, KTTV, said. Hal Eisner and Joab Perez were preparing a report on the reopening of the El Capitan Theater when they were hit by the SUV, the station said. Eisner and Perez were among the four people taken to the hospital.
Two tourists from Washington were also injured. One sustained “serious injuries” that broke a broken leg and ribs, Moore said. the other, “moderate injuries” such as cuts and bruises.
The driver was arrested for driving under the influence, said Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver was also taken to a hospital, Lopez added.
‘This incident indicates [the] ongoing threat that DUI poses to our safety, ”Moore wrote on Twitter.
The video of the scene shows a white Nissan sports utility vehicle breaking into the shop window of Highland Market, between a tattoo parlor and a residence on Hollywood Boulevard. The fire authorities said the building was not in danger of collapsing or other serious structural damage.