Two of the 37 people injured when a 29-year-old man intentionally, according to investigators, drove his car into a crowd of people outside a busy nightclub in East Hollywood last weekend are speaking out about the harrowing ordeal.
Reports of the July 19 incident in the 4600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, just around the corner from a popular Vermont Hollywood nightclub, came in at around 2 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Investigators say San Clemente resident Fernando Ramirez, who has since been charged with 37 counts of attempted murder, plowed through street vendors’ carts and into the crowd after reportedly being removed from the club for being disruptive and later trying to get back in.
More than 120 first responders rushed to the scene of the mass-casualty incident and took 36 patients to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious fractures, including several victims who were trapped beneath the suspect’s vehicle.
Authorities said that at least seven of those injured were listed in critical condition.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, irate members of the crowd pulled Ramirez from his vehicle and repeatedly punched and kicked him.
Investigators said that during the beating, an unidentified man approached Ramirez from across the street and shot him. Police are still looking for that suspect.
At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) 
At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) 
At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (okramtattoos) 
At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) 
Fernando Ramirez, 29, a resident of San Clemente, is charged with 37 counts of attempted murder for allegedly plowing through an East Hollywood crowd on July 19, 2025. (OCDA) 
Police are searching for man suspected of shooting a driver who plowed into an East Hollywood nightclub crowd, injuring 36 people on July, 19 2025. (LAPD) 
Police are searching for man suspected of shooting a driver who plowed into an East Hollywood nightclub crowd, injuring 36 people on July, 19 2025. (LAPD)
The 29-year-old, who has an extensive criminal history, including for a felony hate crime in 2020, was taken to the hospital and later arrested.
Maria Medrano and her husband, Nicolas Suarez, told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo that they were selling hot dogs as clubgoers exited the venue when they were caught in the violent melee.
In Spanish, she explained that they were dragged along as Ramirez allegedly plowed into their food cart and the crowd.
In video obtained by TMZ, unsuspecting people out for a night of fun are seen walking as the car barrels down on them, sending some of them flying in the air after impact.
Suarez, who suffered a broken leg and was severely banged up, told KTLA that he was dragged about 100 feet, while his wife sustained multiple cuts and fractures to her ribs and clavicle.
Though their food cart was left completely mangled, the couple’s daughter, Sara Suarez, said it likely saved their lives.
“That food cart that’s going around, that’s my dad’s,” she explained. “If it wasn’t for that cart, that would have been him. So, although it’s unfortunate that their equipment got ruined, we’re just thankful and grateful they’re safe.”
As for Suarez and his wife, a GoFundMe has been organized for the couple as they both face a long road to recovery and without their primary source of income.
“It’s not just a job for them. Of course, it’s their livelihood. It’s our way of making ends meet, but it’s more to them,” Sara said. “It’s about community as well, building community. We have such a strong one, so heartfelt and overwhelming in the best way possible.”
