Multiple pedestrians injured after car crashes onto sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Several people were seriously injured after an SUV jumped a sidewalk and slammed into a tree in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Multiple pedestrians were hit, and two of them are said to be in grave condition with severe injuries.

The crash happened in the heart of the Flower District near the corner of San Julian Street and E. 8th Street.

Surveillance video obtained by Eyewitness News shows the moment the SUV crashed into the tree. In total, seven people were hurt, and five of them were hospitalized.

Another video shows the driver turn onto 8th Street and then veer across the opposite lanes of traffic, running up onto the sidewalk and straight into the tree.

"The specifics of their injuries are not known at this time. Only thing we know is that two were severe, so grave injuries, and three were with minor injuries, transported to local hospitals for treatment," said Capt. Tony Tubbs with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The crash happened around 11:45 a.m. outside of a flower shop.

An employee of Lupita's Flowers said he was in the back office when he heard the wreck, followed by a woman screaming. He came outside to find a 13-year-old boy on the ground.

"I guess he was thrown from that side. He was thrown to the ground. His foot was broken, and I think his back was bleeding, because he scraped it on the floor or something," said Alex Ortiz, an employee at Lupita's Flowers.

Ortiz, who is the father of a 7-year-old boy, says it was heartbreaking to witness. But as a pre-med student, he used his basic medical knowledge to help the young boy until paramedics arrived.

"His mom was very scared. I just tried to keep them calm. You know, it could've been worse. Just reminding them that. But yeah, like I just said, I still have blood on my foot. It's scary stuff," Ortiz said.

It's unclear if drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, or if the driver suffered a medical issue.

LAPD said the driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was cooperative. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.