What was supposed to be a late night out in downtown Redlands turned into a scene of chaos early Sunday when a car doubled back and barreled into a group of people outside a popular bar, throwing bodies across the pavement and blasting out storefront glass. Four people were rushed to area hospitals with major injuries, witnesses said, as bystanders pulled out their phones and started recording. The vehicle then fled westbound on East Citrus Avenue, and gunfire rang out in the frantic moments after the crash.
Police Say Driver Came Back And Hit People In The Street
Redlands police told NBC Los Angeles the crash was reported shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday in front of The Redlands Underground on East Citrus Avenue after an argument spilled into the street. Officers said the suspect vehicle, described as a 2022 blue Tesla, initially drove away, then circled back and accelerated into several people standing in the roadway. The car then hit a curb and a storefront before taking off again, heading westbound. Four victims were transported to a nearby hospital with what police called major injuries, and detectives are treating the case as a hit-and-run.
Witnesses Roll Video As Car Slams Into Crowd
Multiple bystanders caught the incident on their phones, and one witness told Inland Empire Community News she “was just in shock” as people were hurled by the impact. The witness said the same blue car appeared to circle the block and come back before striking onlookers and then crashing into a nearby business, leaving shattered glass scattered on the sidewalk. Officials and local outlets have reviewed several clips that show the vehicle losing control and backing into the storefront before speeding away.
Glass Blown Out, Then Shots Fired
Video and reporting show storefront windows smashed and, just after the collision, witnesses heard multiple gunshots ring out in downtown Redlands. Footage shared with local newsrooms shows people sprinting for cover as the rounds sounded, according to CBS Los Angeles. Local video of the crash was also featured by FOX 11 Los Angeles, which aired witness clips and footage from the chaotic scene.
Police Hunt For Tesla Driver, Ask Public For Tips
Redlands police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Thomas Williams. Media reports list a tip line at 909-557-6814, according to NBC Los Angeles. Investigators say they are combing through multiple videos and talking with witnesses to determine who was behind the wheel and whether the act was intentional. Anyone who saw a blue Tesla leaving the area or has video from East Citrus Avenue around 1:30 a.m. is urged to call the department.
Another Scary Entry In A Growing Regional Trend
Officials and safety advocates say late night fights that spill out of bars and into the street can escalate fast, and vehicle-ramming incidents tied to brawls have surfaced across Southern California. In 2023, a case in Santa Clarita involved an SUV plowing into a crowd after a dispute, which led to arrests and drew local coverage, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles. For now, downtown business owners and patrons in Redlands are left to sweep up the glass, take stock of the damage, and wait for answers as detectives follow up on leads.
