1 Dead, 6 Injured When Pickup Truck Plows Into Crowded LA Sidewalk

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say one person was killed and six others were injured when a pickup truck careened onto a crowded sidewalk and into a business.

The crash happened in the 300 block of North Broadway Street in downtown Los Angeles shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, according to LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott.

Fire officials say a man driving a Chevy Avalanche was heading southbound on Broadway and lost control. He allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic before running onto the sidewalk and hitting several pedestrians.

"This is a very busy part of the city on a Sunday afternoon and unfortunately, we did have several pedestrians that were injured," said Asst. Chief Robert Franco of the LAFD.

The deceased was identified as 52-year-old Ana Ramirez. Witnesses say she died while her husband pleaded for help.

Hector Marquez, a witness, said he wanted to help Ramirez but the truck was too heavy. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Six other victims were transported to local hospitals, three of which were occupants of the truck.

Of the injured, fire officials say four are in serious condition.

"We came out. We just heard people screaming," Pearl Lira, a witness, said. "We didn't know how many people had got run over but we did hear that there was someone under the car and that's when everyone started freaking out."

Officials say speed was not a factor but that the driver has a medical condition that may have caused him to lose control.

An investigation is ongoing.