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5 Pedestrians Hospitalized After Being Struck By Car Near LA Convention Center

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  Five pedestrians were hurt Monday afternoon after being struck by a car affiliated with the Los Angeles Auto Show near the downtown Convention Center, where the annual event is being staged.

Paramedics were sent to the 1200 block of South Figueroa Street about 1:15 p.m., said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The pedestrians were on or near a sidewalk when they were injured, Humphrey said.

Investigators say a test driver of a Fiat lost control, hopped the curb in front of the convention center and hit a planter. It was unclear whether the pedestrians were injured by the Fiat hitting them or from the cement planter crumbling.

"I guess the guy wanted to show of a little bit," said Adelina Asoltanea, a witness. "Instead of hitting the brakes, he hit the gas."

Eight people were evaluated for injuries and six, including the man who was driving the vehicle, were taken to hospitals, according to Humphrey.

All six, ranging in age from 31 to 48 years old, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were "in minor to moderate distress," Humphrey said.

Their medical conditions were not specified.

The Convention Center is the site of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The orange Fiat 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.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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