A 64-year-old woman suffered serious arm injuries when she was struck by a car amid a “zombie walk” that was held Saturday near the San Diego Convention Center, site of Comic-Con International 2014, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 5:34 p.m. at the intersection of 2nd and Island avenues (map), where the driver and his family, all of whom are deaf, were waiting for the “zombie walk” to pass, the San Diego Police Department said in a statement.
“After waiting several minutes, the 48-year-old male driver slowly rolled forward, trying to get out of the area,” the statement said. “His children were afraid of the large crowd. Several people from the crowd of ‘zombies’ and other marchers surrounded and began punching the car.”
Some of the pedestrians — including the 64-year-old woman, who was participating in the 8th annual event — climbed onto the black Honda Accord, according to police.
“The car windshield was shattered by the crowd,” the statement continued. “The family was scared, so the father drove forward again, trying to get away from the angry crowd.”
The vehicle hit the woman, who was later transported to a hospital, officials said. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
“I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen anything like that,” said witness Anna Rowland, who recorded the incident on video. “He just moved through so many people. I don’t know what he was thinking.
“People noticed him being impatient, so we were like: ‘Stop. Stop,’” Rowland said. “He started moving forward a little bit, and people started hitting his car, saying: ‘Stop. You need to stop.’ And then that’s when he just peeled through.”
Some members of the crowd tended to the injured woman; others chased the vehicle as it moved toward an officer who was farther down the street, according to the Police Department.
The driver stopped when he reached the officer at 1st Street. News video showed him communicating with police through sign language.
No charges were immediately filed in the incident. An investigation is underway.