Sad AP headline declares ‘vehicle drives into a crowd’ in LA

The Associated Press quickly learned that words matter after getting dragged for a ridiculous headline on a breaking story out of California.

While details are still emerging, initial reports indicated dozens were injured after a driver plowed into a group of people outside of a Los Angeles nightclub early Saturday.

“Capt. Adam Van Gerpen, public information officer for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, told reporters that out of the 30 injured, 23 were transported to medical facilities. Van Gerpen also confirmed that one person with a gunshot wound was taken for treatment. It is unclear if this was the driver,” Fox News reported.

BREAKING: Sad and chaotic news coming from East Hollywood, Los Angeles where over 20 people injured and many in critical condition!

A vehicle had plowed into a crowd of people, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Santa Monica… pic.twitter.com/i0JuEJyhlN

— I Came, I Saw, They died (@4ortunefame) July 19, 2025

While images circulated and reports came in, the Associated Press found a way to take the responsibility for the terrifying scene off the driver.

“BREAKING: A vehicle has driven into a crowd of people in East Hollywood, injuring more than 20, the Los Angeles Fire Department says,” the paper declared.

Its report, headlined, “A vehicle drives into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including at least 3 critically,” also seemed to suggest the vehicle acted on its own.

“A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, injuring 30 people,” the AP noted.

Not. A. Single. Word. About. The. Driver. In. The. Whole. Article. https://t.co/oWPDAyxpfp

— Samuel Howell (@ActuallySamuelH) July 19, 2025

“Van Gerpen said that a line of people — the majority female — were waiting to enter a nightclub when they were struck by a Nissan Versa that also hit a taco truck and valet stand,” the report continued. “Paramedics discovered that one of the patients had a gunshot wound, Van Gerpen said. He told The Associated Press that the identity of that person was not yet known.”

Cars, not just cows, have guns now apparently -> “Paramedics discovered that one of the patients had a gunshot wound, Van Gerpen said. He told The Associated Press that the identity of that person was not yet known.” https://t.co/WBzwaE0Nf8

— Dan Garrett (@DanGarrett97) July 19, 2025

Social media users wasted no time ripping the AP for the passive language and misleading headline.

Community notes W https://t.co/WOaki2INgs pic.twitter.com/x2khEX07zm

— Lachlan Phillips exo/acc (@bitcloud) July 19, 2025

No. A person drove a car into a crowd. Or you could say a person attempted murder by hitting people with his/her car.

— GB (@GBtablereads) July 19, 2025

Correction:
A vehicle was driven into a crowd by “someone”

— Dr. Literaleigh A. Pheline ‍ (@Sarcasmcat24) July 19, 2025

A vehicle drove itself into a crowd of people?

— Good Shepherd Nika (@TheGoodShep45) July 19, 2025

You need to interview the car and see why it did that. It’s also important to know if it’s a maga or a progressive car.

— clement clemensen (@cdclemensen) July 19, 2025

I hate it when cars do that

— KnowMogself mog/acc (@Mogmania69) July 19, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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