At least 17 Mexican soccer fans were injured when a driver allegedly rammed through a crowded street of revelers celebrating the nation’s World Cup win in Cabo San Lucas on Wednesday night.
The unidentified driver was driving through Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard in the Baja California Sur beach town when they were met by the large crowd that had taken over the street just after 9 p.m., Cabo San Lucas officials said.
Rowdy fans allegedly surrounded the driver and his car before touching and climbing on the vehicle, officials said.
The driver, inside a black sedan, is accused of “suddenly accelerating forward” into the mob that was blocking the roadway, striking multiple people, according to video posted online.
At least 17 people, including the driver, were transported to various hospitals in the area for their injuries.
Their conditions were not immediately revealed.
“I want to express our deep solidarity with the affected people and their families for the unfortunate events that occurred tonight,” said Dr. Jose Manuel Larumbe Pineda, First Councilor Acting Municipal President for the Ministry of Law. “Our commitment is to guarantee care for victims, provide companionship to their families, fully cooperate with authorities and keep citizens informed with official and verified data.”
The driver was detained at the scene and brought to a hospital in police custody for his injuries, officials said.
No charges have been filed against the driver as officials continue the investigation into the late-night hit-and-run.
The Baja California Sur Attorney General’s Office announced it had opened an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run.
The crazed fans had taken to the streets to celebrate Mexico’s 3-0 victory over Czechia in the World Cup’s Group Stage at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The team finishes atop Group A with a 3-0 record as it heads into the Round of 32 on Tuesday.
“Citizens are urged to conduct cautiously during public rallies, heed the directions of the authority and avoid behaviors that endanger their own physical integrity and those of others,” officials warned after the crash.
A pickup truck driver had allegedly plowed into a group of fans celebrating Mexico’s win over South Korea last week in Chihuahua City, according to the El Paso Times.
“We are looking to prevent lamentable acts such as occurred in the last game when a person was run over during these festivities,” Chihuahua State Public Safety Secretary Gilberto Loya said Monday.