6 injured, 3 critically, after suspected DUI driver crashes into Uber in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Six people were injured, three critically, after a suspected DUI driver blew a stop sign, causing a car crash with an Uber that sent one vehicle careening into a business in Hollywood Monday.

The crash happened around 6 a.m. in the 7400 block of W. Melrose Avenue, according to Los Angeles Fire Department officials.

A witness said a Mercedes SUV came speeding south on Vista Street, blew a stop sign and broadsided a Prius. The driver of the Prius was working for Uber at the time and there were three passengers.

Good Samaritans, including two tow truck drivers, tried to help extricate the driver and victims. They said the driver in the SUV attempted to flee the scene. But the good Samaritans chased the man, tackled him, called 911 and held him until authorities arrived.

Dovi Levin, one of the good Samaritans, said the man kept making weird statements.

"He kept saying the same thing over and over and over, like, 'I didn't mean to do this to you. This wasn't against you. I just want you to know I wasn't trying to hurt you,'" he said. "But to run away from the scene of the accident? I mean that's just cowardice."

Levin added that during the rush to help the victims, the SUV driver told him his wife was stuck inside the vehicle. Levin clawed through glass to see if she was OK in the vehicle, only to find it was empty and that's when the driver tried to flee.

Six people were hospitalized, with three listed in critical condition. The suspect and Uber driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators were looking into whether the suspect was also responsible for side-swiping four vehicles on Franklin Avenue minutes before the crash.

Levin said he was glad that he and the tow truck drivers, all strangers, were there to help the victims.

"These are people who you want to be around because God forbid something like this happens again, these are the type of people you want to be around you," he said.

Authorities were trying to locate the owner of a sports apparel store, where the SUV careened into after the crash. The SUV damaged a load-bearing wall and the business will not be open for some time.

The suspect was arrested and faces multiple charges.

The investigation was ongoing.