2 Female Pedestrians Fatally Struck By Car In Echo Park Area

ECHO PARK (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say two female pedestrians were killed Sunday after being struck by a car in the Echo Park area.

Firefighters say the silver Mustang struck a street light and a fire hydrant on Rosemont Avenue at Sunset Boulevard before hitting the pedestrians.

Both victims were declared dead on-scene. Two others were injured in the crash, and were transported to a hospital, one reportedly in critical condition and another in stable condition.

The driver of the Mustang had to be extricated from the car, firefighters said.

Another pedestrian has to be extricated from underneath the vehicle.

The identities of the deceased were not released.

CBS2's Jeff Nguyen reported from the scene.

Water shot high into the air as work crews also tried to stop the flow of water from the sheared hydrant.

Nichole Thomas says she narrowly missed being run down by the vehicle.

"I was standing next to the two ladies that ended up dying," Thomas said.

Mike Stanley says he heard the crash from his house across the street.

"As I'm waking up, I heard this 'Urrrrrrrrr, boom' and a loud crash and screeching noise," Stanley said.

Police told Nguyen the Mustang was in the middle lane when the driver tried to swerve around another car that was in front of him.

He allegedly went left and then tried to pull right but ran onto the curb, took out the hydrant, a part of a lamp post and then the pedestrians.

"When the car hit them, they flew up in the air and landed across the street," Thomas said.

Said LAPD Captain Jonathan Tom, "25-30 feet from where they were struck and where they ended up landing."

Two LAPD Officers were inside a nearby convenience store at the time of the crash buying food for Thomas, who, they said was cold and homeless.

The two officers aided in pulling the third victim from underneath the vehicle.

"They're shaken up. That's the reality. This is a traumatic scene for anyone," said Tom.

The officers were not able to save the two pedestrians but Thomas said she is grateful to them for one more reason.

"It helps me immensely," she said, "It gives me faith. It makes me believe that there is hope."