Man Drove Car Into Crowd in LA, Injured 37, Now Faces Charges

Photo: AP

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, a very serious and shocking event happened in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. Around 2 a.m., just outside a music club called "The Vermont," a man drove his car into a large group of people standing on the sidewalk. This terrible action hurt many people and created panic and fear.

On Tuesday, July 22, officials announced serious criminal charges against the man responsible. His name is Fernando Ramirez, and he is 29 years old. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Ramirez is now facing 37 counts of attempted murder and 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon. In this case, the car he used is being called the “deadly weapon.”

What Happened That Night?

It was a busy night outside The Vermont nightclub in East Hollywood. Many people were standing outside. Some were waiting to get into the club, some were at a nearby taco truck, and others were waiting for valet parking. Everything was going normally until suddenly, a car came speeding onto the sidewalk.

That car was driven by Fernando Ramirez. Police say that he had been inside the nightclub earlier but was removed or kicked out by staff. After being removed, he got into his car, drove up to the sidewalk where many people were standing, and intentionally drove into the crowd.

The Impact and the Injuries

The crash caused chaos and fear. According to emergency responders and officials, 37 people were hurt. Out of those, eight people had very serious injuries, including deep cuts and broken bones.

The Interim Fire Chief of Los Angeles Fire Department, Ronnie Villanueva, said the situation was “incredibly chaotic and distressing.” People were screaming, running, and trying to help the injured. Ambulances and firefighters arrived quickly, and medical teams worked hard to take care of the victims.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell said, “It’s truly a miracle no one was killed.”

What Happened to the Driver?

After hitting so many people, the car eventually stopped — it became disabled. Right after the crash, some people in the crowd pulled the driver, Ramirez, out of the car. Many of them were angry and scared. In the chaos, people started physically attacking Ramirez.

At some point, during this fight, a man took out a gun and shot Ramirez in the lower back. That man ran away and has not yet been caught by police.

Ramirez was taken to a hospital for treatment and then arrested. Police initially arrested him for assault with a deadly weapon, but now the charges are more serious.

He is being held in jail without bail, and his court hearing (arraignment) is scheduled for Wednesday. If he is found guilty, he could face many life sentences in prison, as each of the 37 counts of attempted murder could lead to serious punishment.

The Man Has a History of Violence

Authorities have also shared more about Fernando Ramirez’s past. According to Police Chief McDonnell, Ramirez has an “extensive history of violence.” This means he has been involved in violent actions before.

At the time of this incident, Ramirez was actually out on bail from a 2022 domestic violence case in Orange County. This shows that he was already facing legal problems before the car crash. However, District Attorney Hochman said he couldn’t give more details about that case right now.

Police Looking for the Shooter

The man who shot Ramirez in the back is still missing. Police are trying to find him. Chief McDonnell spoke about this during the press briefing. He said that while people may have been very emotional after the crash, using deadly force like a gun was illegal and dangerous — especially since the driver was no longer a threat after the car stopped.

He said, “We understand the emotions involved, but when the threat had ended and the suspect was no longer actively harming others, the use of deadly force was both unlawful and dangerous to everybody present.” Police are asking for help to find the man who fired the shot.

What the Officials Said

District Attorney Hochman spoke clearly during his press conference. He said, “We understand that this brazen act has shaken the community.” He described what happened in simple words: “When he drove that car onto that sidewalk, he aimed it at a whole sea of pedestrians that were in front of him.”

Officials said they would prove in court that this act was intentional — meaning it was done on purpose, not by accident.

Chief McDonnell added that this kind of violence is very serious and that the police will work hard to make sure justice is served. He said detectives are putting in a lot of effort to find all the facts and bring everyone responsible to justice — including the person who shot Ramirez.

The Scene Was Horrifying

Eyewitnesses told police and reporters that the crash scene was like something out of a nightmare. There were people lying on the ground, screaming in pain. Bystanders tried to help each other while waiting for emergency teams. Blood, broken glass, and food from the taco truck were scattered everywhere.

Emergency responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department and paramedics acted quickly and professionally. They treated victims on the scene and transported others to nearby hospitals.

Many people in the neighborhood are still shaken. The area near the club has become a place for people to leave flowers and messages of support for the injured. Community members say they feel scared but also grateful that nobody lost their life in such a dangerous attack.

Next Steps in the Case

Fernando Ramirez is set to appear in court for the first time on Wednesday. He will face 74 criminal charges — 37 for attempted murder and 37 for assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say they will try to show that this was not an accident — that Ramirez meant to hurt people when he drove his car into the crowd. If the court agrees, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Meanwhile, police are still investigating and searching for the man who shot Ramirez. They are also talking to witnesses and reviewing video footage from cameras in the area.

This tragic event has affected many people — the victims, their families, and the entire community. It has raised serious questions about safety outside public places like clubs and restaurants. While the legal process continues, the community hopes for healing and justice.

Authorities have promised a full investigation and strong legal action to ensure that something like this never happens again.