Five people were injured after an SUV driver entered a market on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday.
Los Angeles police believe the suspect fell asleep at the wheel due to intoxication, according to a tweet from the Los Angeles Police Department. The man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.
UPDATE:
The driver of the vehicle was put under arrest for drunk driving (DUI). https://t.co/tc1x6thdwl
– LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) March 19, 2021
The driver was supposed to be driving on the wrong side of the road before he hit a barrier and hit the Hollywood Market Liquor Store, reports KTLA.
Although three of the victims were initially in critical condition, LAPD chief Michael Moore later tweeted that night that all of the victims were in stable condition.
Two of the injured pedestrians were tourists from Washington, one of whom had broken ribs and a broken leg. The other was described as having “moderate injuries”, suffering lacerations and abrasions, according to Moore.
This incident points to an ongoing threat that the DUI poses to our security. Update on the victims: 2 tourists from Washington. One of them has serious injuries with broken ribs and broken leg. The other has moderate injuries with lacerations and abrasions. All victims listed as stable at this point. https://t.co/93U5SU6Fqf
– Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) March 20, 2021
Two other victims were identified as Fox 11 reporter Hal Eisner and his photographer, who were in the area to record a segment of news about the reopening of the El Capitan Theater at the time, according to the KTLA.
“It could have been any of us,” Hollywood ambassador Gregg Donovan told local media. “You never know here on Hollywood Boulevard. I mean, out of the blue, just like that. I couldn’t believe it, I was in shock.”
According to a statement released by the Los Angeles Fire Department, there was no damage to the structural integrity of the building, which is located on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.