Echo Park crash kills 2 pedestrians, critically injures two others
Two people were killed and two others critically injured when a car crashed at an intersection in Echo Park on Sunday morning, authorities said.
The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at Sunset Boulevard and Rosemont Avenue, said Erik Scott, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. The car sheared a fire hydrant and crashed into a light post, he said.
Fire officials initially said the vehicle struck two women, killing them instantly. Los Angeles police later said the crash involved a “vehicle versus three pedestrians,” two of whom were declared dead at the scene and one of whom was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The male driver of the car had to be extracted from the vehicle, authorities said. He was also taken to a hospital and was listed in critical condition.
LAPD Officer Irma Mota said it was not immediately clear whether speed or alcohol was involved in the crash. She said no arrests have been made, adding that officers are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing.
Later in the morning, the damaged sedan remained on the sidewalk. The car appeared to have sheared off the bottom of a light post. Both car doors remained open.
About a dozen police officers combed the crash scene, which was covered with debris from the car and street light. At least two blocks were closed to traffic.
Nearby residents said they didn’t see or hear the crash.
Johnny Wendell, 60, said the area where the crash occurred is “an incredibly dangerous intersection,” noting that there are serious vehicle accidents there every few months.
Rosemont intersects Sunset just a few hundred yards from where Sunset abruptly jogs left in front of a fire station.
“This bend is notorious,” Wendell said. “Usually what happens is cars come from the west, heading east, and tear up this street.”
Wendell said the crash occurred near one of the few crosswalks in the area.
UPDATES:
12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction from neighbors and additional details from police.
This article was originally published at 10:40 a.m.
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