Eight people were injured after a suspected DUI driver crashed a U-Haul truck into a crowded sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles early Sunday morning, officials said.
The crash was reported just after 1:40 a.m. at the intersection of Spring Street and 7th Street, Los Angeles City Fire Department's Brian Humphrey said.
"I was just walking up the street and I just saw the U-Haul go out of control ," said Philip Moore, a witness. "I heard three bangs and I guess he hit the motorcycle and the car, the light pole and the fire hyndrant."
The driver was identified as 40-year-old Michael Maurice Wilson, according to LAPD's Central Traffic Division.
A U-Haul truck was traveling the wrong way, going eastbound on 7th Street in the westbound lanes, Los Angeles Police Department officials said.
The truck hit a parked vehicle before losing control and colliding with a motorcyclist and a sedan that was traveling southbound on Spring Street about to head westbound onto 7th Street, LAPD said.
The U-Haul spun out of control, jumped a curb and struck pedestrians on a sidewalk before shearing a fire hydrant and a light pole.
Authorities confirmed there was a total of eight adult patients; three of whom were transported with critical injuries and five others with "lesser injuries."
News
Top news of the day
Wilson told police he smoked marijuana before the crash. Investigators also found cocaine inside the U-Haul truck.
Wilson was taken into custody at the scene and was booked for felony DUI, LAPD said.
NBC4's Rick Montanez contributed to this report.