A 29-year-old San Clemente man, Fernando Ramirez, is facing a deluge of felony charges after driving into a crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub, resulting in 37 injured individuals, as announced by the District Attorney. According to a press release from the District Attorney's Office, Ramirez has been slapped with 74 felony counts, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
In what appears to quickly be becoming a high-profile case, Ramirez has been accused of an act that could potentially bind him to the strictures of state prison for life, if convicted. The gravity of the situation is underscored by Ramirez's alleged status of being out on bail for a separate domestic violence case when the incident occurred. "This is a heinous act that left dozens injured," District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, stressing the prosecution's commitment to seeking justice for those affected.
The charged incident took place last Saturday around 2:00 a.m. near The Vermont Hollywood. Ramirez is said to have intentionally driven onto the sidewalk and into a cluster of pedestrians. Responders transported injured parties to hospitals to treat a range of traumas, with eight victims reported to have sustained "great bodily injury."
Currently being held without bail, Ramirez's arraignment was set for today at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The case, number 25CJCF04399, has been placed in the hands of Deputy District Attorney Brian Kang of the Major Crimes Division. The Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division has been tagged to conduct the investigation.
