A minivan collided with a group of shoppers in Los Angeles, California’s popular Fashion District on Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2025, resulting in injuries to nine individuals, including three minors. The event occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. at 326 East 12th Street, close to the bustling Santee Alley shopping venue.
Seven individuals were taken to nearby hospitals, while two opted out of receiving medical care at the location. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), all nine victims are reportedly in stable condition.
The injured included three boys, aged eight, 11, and 17, who were hospitalized. Four adult women, aged 23, 30, 54, and 65, were likewise transported to hospitals. Two additional 23-year-old women were assessed at the scene but chose not to receive further medical treatment, deciding to be “released against medical advice,” according to LAFD officials.
Aerial footage from the incident site showed several first responders surrounding the gray minivan, which showed significant damage to its front end. The vehicle halted under a collapsed patio structure, and a segment of a yellow and red awning fell onto it during the crash.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the details of the accident, though preliminary findings indicate it was not deliberate. An LAPD statement noted, “There were no early indications that the collision was intentional or criminal in nature,” adding that “the driver swerved to avoid a stopped car and hit the barrier next to a restaurant.”
Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments as the minivan mounted the curb and struck concrete barriers installed along the sidewalk. Video captured by onlookers showed the vehicle plowing through a crowd of pedestrians before hitting the structure.
Santee Alley, the site of the occurrence, is a prominent shopping destination in downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its open-air market ambiance and dense cluster of retailers, which typically draws large crowds, especially on weekends.
“Fire companies remain on scene to handle the minivan, currently static under a collapsed patio,” the Los Angeles Fire Department stated in a notice following the crash.
The collision appears to have impacted several concrete K-rails—temporary barriers used for traffic management—which were displaced from their initial positions. These barriers might have mitigated more severe injuries by absorbing some impact before the vehicle reached pedestrians and the building.
Officials from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation promptly arrived at the site to oversee traffic control in the affected area. The incident occurred at the intersection of Maple Avenue and 12th Street, a typically busy route in the Fashion District.
Investigators are assessing whether mechanical failure, driver error, or other factors contributed to the crash. Initial reports suggest that neither drugs nor alcohol are currently considered factors in the incident.
The driver’s condition has not been disclosed, and it is unclear if they sustained any injuries in the crash. Authorities have not revealed the driver’s identity or specified whether they will face any charges related to the incident.
The area around the crash site was temporarily closed to vehicles and pedestrians as emergency crews secured the scene and structural engineers evaluated potential damage to the building.
Local business operators expressed concern over the incident but felt relieved that no fatalities occurred. Many area shops stayed open throughout the afternoon, although foot traffic significantly decreased near the crash site.
This event occurs as the Fashion District continues efforts to improve pedestrian safety measures in response to previous traffic-related issues in the crowded shopping area. The installation of concrete barriers along parts of the sidewalk is part of these ongoing safety enhancements.
