The driver of the red Toyota that hit a group of protesters in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night is being actively sought by police. At 7:26 p.m., the crime happened near 5th and Hill Street, a busy intersection where there was a polite protest going on at the time.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) says the driver of the Toyota drove into the crowd of protesters and hit two people before driving away. Witnesses said they saw the car speed up quickly and drive off without stopping to help the victims.
Within minutes, paramedics were sent to the scene of the accident. Both people hit by the car got medical care, but only one was taken to a nearby hospital for further care. Authorities haven’t said how bad the victim’s injuries were, but sources say they weren’t life-threatening.
There was a brief period of chaos in the area after the crash as protesters and bystanders rushed to help the hurt. Police put up a cordon around the area while investigators started gathering evidence, such as witness statements and surveillance footage from nearby cameras. Officers from the LAPD said that the driver could be charged with felony hit-and-run.
People who were there said it was a polite protest that started earlier in the evening. The police haven’t said for sure what the protest was about, but community groups in the area often hold rallies to talk about a wide range of political and social problems.
The person who did it is still on the run. Detectives from the LAPD are asking anyone who knows anything about what happened or where the driver is to come forward. They have also asked the public for help identifying the red Toyota, which may have been badly damaged in the crash.
Many people in the city and local groups are worried about how violent protests are becoming. There have been some violent incidents during protests, but overall they have been calm. Law enforcement is under more and more pressure to make sure the safety of both protesters and the public.
The LAPD has promised to keep looking into the case carefully and has told the public that anyone involved in a hit-and-run accident will be held responsible for their actions. As the probe continues, the government has also asked for unity and calm. They have told people who are protesting to stay peaceful and treat others with respect.
The driver in this accident has been identified and is being brought to justice. It is the latest in a string of disturbing hit-and-run accidents in Los Angeles.
