Baby dies of injuries suffered in Downtown Art Walk crash [Updated]

 
A 2-month-old boy died early Friday after he was struck Thursday evening by a motorist trying to park where a crowd was gathered for the Downtown Art Walk, police said.

The infant and his mother were outside the El Dorado Lofts on Spring Street near 4th Street about 9:20 p.m. Thursday when a 22-year-old man attempting to park his girlfriend’s Cadillac hit the accelerator instead of the brake, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Jeffrey Siggers said.

The car hopped the curb and struck the mother and the infant, who was in a stroller. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where the infant was put on life support, LAPD spokesperson Richard French said.

The child died Friday about 2 a.m. The mother sustained minor injuries. The force of the crash sheared off a parking meter.

LAPD Central Traffic was still investigating the incident, and the driver had not been arrested. The driver was not thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, officials said.

The accident forced the closure of Spring Street from 4th to 5th streets, further snarling already heavy traffic due to the monthly Art Walk downtown. Police said the area was packed with people, with thousands on the streets and dozens of food trucks parked nearby.

[Updated 2:35: Authorities have identified the 2-month-old boy as Marcello Vasquez of Montebello]

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-- Corina Knoll and Richard Winton