Afternoon traffic in East Hollywood took a bizarre turn Thursday when a naked man bolted from the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash, leaving bystanders recording chaotic video as multiple people lay injured, including one in critical condition. The clip has since ricocheted around social media and left neighbors and drivers rattled.
Crash And Emergency Response
The Los Angeles Fire Department's incident log shows crews were dispatched at about 12:46 p.m. Thursday to the 1000 block of North Normandie Avenue for a two-vehicle collision that left people trapped in the wreckage, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters used extrication tools to free occupants, and initial updates indicated there were no transports to hospitals at that time, per MyNewsLA.
Video Shows Suspect Fleeing Naked
Video circulated after the wreck shows a naked man sprinting through the crash scene while stunned onlookers react. Los Angeles police told ABC7 that the man was driving one of the vehicles involved and fled the scene unclothed. Officers said the driver was arrested and that they suspected he was under the influence. Police also told the station that multiple people were injured and that one person was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
A witness told ABC7 the driver “ran out of the vehicle naked” and appeared to have run a red light before the collision. The wild clip, shot by bystanders, was quickly picked up by local reporters.
Neighborhood Safety Concerns
The intersection sits near a busy stretch of East Hollywood restaurants and nightlife where serious vehicle incidents have raised alarms before. In July 2025, a driver plowed into a crowd outside a Hollywood club and was later charged with dozens of counts, according to the Los Angeles Times. High-profile crashes like these have renewed debate about street safety and impaired driving in crowded entertainment corridors.
Potential Charges
Under California law, fleeing an accident that causes injury can be prosecuted under Vehicle Code Section 20001, and driving under the influence is addressed in Section 23152. Penalties can include fines, jail time, or multi-year prison sentences depending on the severity of injuries and any prior convictions.
LAPD detectives are continuing to investigate. The department has not released the suspect's name and has provided few additional details. This story will be updated if prosecutors file charges or if the LAPD makes further information public.
