Multiple pedestrians struck by vehicle outside LA Convention Center

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11 / CNS) - A half-dozen people, five of them pedestrians, were hurt Monday when an electric vehicle on a test drive struck a cement planter and sent debris flying near the downtown Convention Center, where the annual Los Angeles Auto Show is being held.

Paramedics were sent to the 1200 block of South Figueroa Street about 1:15 p.m. The pedestrians were on or near a sidewalk when they were injured, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Eight people were evaluated for injuries and six, including the man who was driving the car, were taken to hospitals, according to Humphrey. All six, ranging in age from 31 to 48, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were "in minor to moderate distress,'' he said.

A passenger in the 2017 Fiat 500e, believed to be a representative from the show, was evaluated at the scene and released, according to Los Angeles police Officer Mike Lopez.

It appeared that the victims were struck by flying concrete from a planter that was struck by the vehicle, which also hit a pole, Lopez said. It was unclear if any of the pedestrians were actually struck by the car, he said.

The orange car had a sign on its driver's side door reading, "Drive Today! At The Auto Show.''

The Los Angeles Police Department's South Traffic Division was investigating the crash.

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