Seven people, including an infant and a toddler, were in critical condition after a hit-and-run crash Saturday night in Hollywood, officials said.
The two-vehicle collision was reported about 9:38 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Orange Drive, said Margaret Stewart, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Officials initially said three vehicles were involved.
The critically injured victims included two boys, ages 1 month and 2 years; a 16-year-old girl; a 20-year-old woman; and three men, two of whom were 19 and 50, the LAFD said. The third man’s age was unknown.
All were transported to local hospitals and were expected to survive, said Sgt. James Tomeo of the Los Angeles Police Department.
The male driver of a Scion xB was traveling southbound on Orange when he ran a red light and collided with a Toyota Corolla that was heading eastbound on Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the LAPD.
The driver of the Scion “got out of the car, he stayed in the area shortly around his vehicle. He may have helped a couple of people out the car and then basically walked off,” Tomeo said.
Speed was possibly a factor in the crash, and there was evidence of DUI, the sergeant said. Shortly before the incident, the Scion had been involved in another minor collision about a block away, according to police.
The man who fled the scene is described as Hispanic, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, bald and wearing a gray shirt. He was last seen running eastbound on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at 213-473-0222.
