The FBI is now involved after a driver plowed into a crowd of people in a Sunnyvale crosswalk. It happened at the intersection of El Camino Real and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23.
Eight people were injured, including a 13-year-old. Investigators are now looking at all possibilities for why the driver drove into the crowd, including an act of terrorism or simply a case of mistaking the brake for the gas pedal.
“As of right now this is all under investigation so we wouldn’t be able to draw that conclusion, it’s too early,” said Captain Jim Choi of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS).
“Some were in the crosswalk, some were at the corner of El Camino Real and Sunnyvale and there’s no indication that the vehicle tried to avoid,” said Captain Choi. “It looks like this may have been an intentional act by the driver based upon what’s on scene and some statements obtained…Some of the statements are that the vehicle didn’t try to veer away or didn’t try to brake or slow down and that the vehicle was speeding and went directly into the crowd.”
The driver was arrested at the scene. Investigators have not released his name or any other details about him.
The eight victims were taken to the hospital. There are no details this morning on their conditions.
Two lanes of El Camino Real at Sunnyvale Avenue were closed overnight while the investigation and clean up continued. The lanes were reopened around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The Sunnyvale DPS will hold a news conference this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. We will update you on the latest details when we get them.