It began with an all-too-common, though illegal, street takeover in Orange County.
It ended with two teens hospitalized after being struck by a car, and the suspected driver fleeing the scene.
Hundreds of onlookers, drawn to the scene by social media and WhatsApp advertisements, showed up before 2 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Orangewood Avenue and State College Boulevard in Anaheim to watch cars spin in circles, perform stunts and make lots of noise.
Police were called to the intersection — a few blocks from Angel Stadium, in an area dotted with businesses and apartments — but while en route they received additional reports of injuries.
When officers from the Anaheim Police Department arrived, they learned that a black Dodge Charger had spun out of control into the crowd, hitting two 19-year-old onlookers.
“When police got there around 2 a.m., most of the crowd had dispersed but they saw the two pedestrians who were struck,” said Sgt. Matt Sutter. “Both officers and paramedics provided medical aid and the men were taken to the nearest hospital.”