A peaceful Sunday afternoon turned into panic in Los Angeles when a minivan plowed into a crowded shopping area, injuring at least nine people… including three children… in the city’s bustling Fashion District.
The terrifying crash happened just after 3:15 p.m. near the popular Santee Alley, a hotspot packed with shoppers. According to sources, the van collided with a barrier, trapping it beneath a collapsed patio structure as first responders rushed to the scene.
Aerial footage revealed a swarm of emergency personnel surrounding the damaged vehicle as medics treated victims on site. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that three minors, an 8-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old boy… were hospitalized but reported to be in fair condition.
Four adults… a 54-year-old woman, a 65-year-old woman, a 30-year-old woman, and a 23-year-old woman… were also taken to a nearby hospital with similar non-life-threatening injuries. Two additional 23-year-old women declined full medical care and were released against medical advice, though their injuries were also listed as fair.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials say the minivan remains lodged under the collapsed patio as crews continue to secure the area.
“Emergency units are still working the scene, and the vehicle is static beneath the debris,” said the Los Angeles Fire Department. “The circumstances leading up to the collision are currently unknown.”
The incident has sparked renewed concern over pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas of downtown L.A., especially zones frequented by families and tourists.
