Seven people were injured Saturday when a limo driver, who apparently made a shifting mistake, crashed his vehicle into a parked car, causing both vehicles to plunge down a 20-foot embankment in the Hollywood Hills, a police sergeant said.
The incident at 6520 W. Cerritos Place was reported at 7:53 a.m., said fire department spokesman Erik Scott.
Seven people were treated at the scene by paramedics. Five of them, including the driver, were transported to hospitals, Scott said. None of the injuries -- which firefighters said ranged from a broken collarbone to cracked toes -- were considered life-threatening.
Investigators said the driver picked up four men and two women to take them to an after party. When the group set off, the limo rammed a parked rental car and sent them both flying into an apartment walkway below.
"The driver thought he had shifted into reverse when he was actually in drive," said Los Angeles police Sgt. O.C. Smith, watch commander at West Traffic Division.
The cars landed in the walkway of an apartment building located at 1971 N. Wilcox Ave. Officials said it was damaged in the crash.
Preston Lener's mother's rental car was sent careening off the embankment. He said the aftermath of the crash was chaotic.
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"There was hysterical screaming, 'Call 911,'" he recalled. "Some of them didn't know if they got everyone from the car."
Quinlin Messenger's 1971 Volkswagen Camengia was parked where the limo accelerated.
"I'm feeling real lucky," Messenger said. "Just last night I parked my car right next to the car that went right off the ledge."
The incident remains under investigation, Smith said. Investigators said the driver does not appear to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It was not immediately known if the driver was cited for the crash.
City News Service contributed to this report.
