Los Angeles – A man that the authorities said that intentionally took a car to a multitude of people outside a Los Angeles nightclub last week was accused of 37 positions of murder attempt, said the district prosecutor of Los Angeles County on Tuesday.
Fernando Ramírez, 29, could face multiple life sentences if he is convicted, said Nathan Hochman district prosecutor. In addition to the attempt of murders, Ramírez is accused of 37 assault charges with a mortal weapon.
Hochman said the incident on early Saturday “could have been catastrophic” and that it was a miracle that nobody died.
“When he led that car to that sidewalk, he pointed to an entire sea of pedestrians who were in front of him on the sidewalk at 2 am,” said Hochman. “Many of them were in the Taco truck or waiting in Valet or were waiting to enter the club.”
More than the first 100 to respond were rushed to the scene outside the Vermont Hollywood nightclub, authorities said.
Ramírez, from San Clemente in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, was detained without bail and is scheduled to be prosecuted on Wednesday, said Hochman. It wasn’t clear on Tuesday night if I had a lawyer.
Ramírez is accused of conducting a compact Nissan sedan on Vermont Avenue sidewalk to the south of Santa Monica Boulevard, before hitting cars that were probably sellers and finally stopped after hitting a light post, police said.
An investigation into what led to the incident and how it was developed is ongoing, authorities said.
Two sources of application of the law familiar with the situation have said that the driver had been expelled from the place for being intoxicated and disruptive.
After the accident against the crowd, the spectators took the driver from the vehicle, the authorities said. Someone from the other side of the street approached and shot him in the back, Los Angeles Police said.
Police chief Jim McDonnell said the shooting was not justified.
“We understand the emotions involved, but when the threat was over and the suspect was no longer actively damaging others, the use of the mortal force was illegal and dangerous for everyone present,” McDonnell said.
Detectives are working to identify the shooter and arrest it, he said.
