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Two people were hospitalized after being struck by a driver during a chaotic street occupation in Anaheim early Friday morning.
The only victims were identified as a man from Lancaster and a man from Orange.
Video of the takeover showed hundreds of bystanders gathered at the intersection of Orangewood Avenue and State College Boulevard around 2 a.m.
Many people could still be seen gathering in their Halloween costumes and enthusiastically recording the chaos on their mobile phones.
The driver of a black Dodge Charger was seen revving up the engine and performing a high-speed donut and burnout, narrowly escaping bystanders.
The surrounding area was filled with the roar of smoke and cheers from the audience, and fireworks were lit in the crowd.
Drivers perform burnouts and donuts during a road takeover in Anaheim, Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) On November 1, 2024, the suspect’s black Dodge Charger narrowly missed a witness while driving in a high-speed loop in Anaheim. (@ 05irvin) November 1, 2024 The moment a suspect plows into a crowd of bystanders, trapping two people under a car. November 1, 2024. Driver performs burnout and donut during street takeover in Anaheim, November 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) Nov. 1, 2024 Driver performs burnout and donut during road hijacking in Anaheim. (Southern County News)News) On November 1, 2024 in Anaheim, the suspect’s black Dodge Charger narrowly missed people while going in a high-speed loop. (@05irvin) Driver performs burnout and donut during road takeover in Anaheim on November 1, 2024. Southern County News) On November 1, 2024, the suspect’s black Dodge Charger drove in a loop at high speed in Anaheim, narrowly missing witnesses. (@05irvin) November 1, 2024 Drivers perform burnouts and donuts during road takeover in Anaheim (Southern County News)
Chapman University student Dave Downs recalled the confusion he felt when he heard the frenzy and commotion outside his apartment.
“It was so late that I kind of thought, ‘Is this actually happening or am I asleep?'” he said incredulously.
Downs and her roommate, Julian Romano, live in an off-campus apartment complex just meters from the chaotic takeover.
The driver continued to spin and at one point lost control, hitting several passers-by in the middle of the intersection, leaving two people pinned under the car. The vehicle moved forward and the wheels were seen rolling over one of the victims and the rear passenger side was seen lifting.
Videos on social media showed people trying to lift the Dodge Charger to rescue the young men, one of whom was covered in blood and barely conscious.
The injured teens were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but authorities confirmed Friday night that they were in stable condition.
As the crowd attacked the Dodger Charger, the suspect driver was able to flee the scene amid the mayhem before police arrived. Most of the spectators also left the scene before being arrested.
“Social media is one of the main drivers of how these events are promoted, and many participants receive information through social media,” explained Sgt. Jacob Gallasher of the Anaheim Police Department. “People from all over the Southland region will be taking part and there will soon be hundreds of people at intersections taking part in this extremely dangerous and reckless behavior.”
Back in 2021, the city of Anaheim passed a law allowing city police to cite spectators during street occupations.
Witness Jack Wilda said Friday’s dangerous takeover lasted for some time, at least an hour, if not longer.
Wilda said she was not surprised that the rally ended with people seriously injured.
“I saw some people get hit, but they didn’t go under the car, they just hit the side of the car,” he recalled. “I saw it from the balcony.” [of my apartment]And we said, ‘Why are people participating in this? ‘ I thought. ”
Police are still searching for the suspect driver. He could face felony hit-and-run charges.
Investigators are reviewing videos of the incident posted on social media to aid in the investigation. They also believe there were more people who were injured in the incident but have not come forward.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Anaheim Police at 714-765-1900.
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