1 dead, multitude harmed by car plowing down pedestrians on Las Vegas Strip

Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car accident along Las Vegas Boulevard, Sunday, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 20, 2015| AP Photo by John Locher, St. George News

LAS VEGAS (AP) — One person was killed and six were in critical condition after a car crashed into pedestrians on a sidewalk Sunday night on the Las Vegas Strip, police said.

Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car accident along Las Vegas Boulevard, Sunday, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 20, 2015| AP Photo by John Locher, St. George News
Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car accident along Las Vegas Boulevard, Sunday, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 20, 2015| AP Photo by John Locher, St. George News

The vehicle was in the northbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard near Bellagio Way when the vehicle drove up onto the sideway (sic) in front of the Paris Hotel & Casino and struck pedestrians, including 37 people who were taken to the hospital, Lt. Peter Boffelli said. One person was killed, six were in critical condition, 26 injured and four were treated and released, he said.

“This is a huge tragedy that has happened on our Strip,” Boffelli said.

Clark County Fire Chief Greg Cassell said the call for help came in at 6:38 p.m. and 70 emergency crew workers were sent to the scene.

The female driver left the scene. But she has since been taken into custody and is being interviewed and tested for alcohol and controlled substances.

Boffelli said the counter-terrorism unit was at the scene but a motive has not been determined. “(It’s) unknown if it’s an intentional act or impairment act,” he said. Las Vegas Police Officer Jesse Roybal said the incident did not appear to be a terrorist act.

The Miss Universe pageant was being held nearby at the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino at the time of the crash.

The Clark County Fire Department said in a statement that up to 50 people were given care by 70 emergency crew workers.

Those in critical condition are being treated at University Medical Center and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center spokeswoman Stacy Acquista said 11 adults are in good condition as of 9 p.m. Danita Cohen, spokeswoman for University Medical Center, said 11 crash victims were brought to its trauma center. No conditions were immediately available, Cohen said.

Written by SALLY HO, Associated Press, and KEN RITTER, Associated Press.

Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car accident along Las Vegas Boulevard, Sunday, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 20, 2015| AP Photo by John Locher, St. George News
Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car accident along Las Vegas Boulevard, Sunday, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 20, 2015| AP Photo by John Locher, St. George News

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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