LOS ANGELES — A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting early Saturday to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people and leading bystanders to attack the driver, authorities said.

The driver was later found to have been shot, according to Los Angeles police, who were searching for a suspected gunman who fled the scene.

It was not clear if the driver had been shot before or after the crash or why he drove into the crowd, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said.

Twenty-three victims were transported to hospitals and trauma centers, according to police.

At least three were in critical condition after being injured along Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, the Los Angeles City Fire Department said in a statement.

Fire Capt. Adam VanGerpen said a line of people — the majority female — were waiting to enter a nightclub when they were struck by a Nissan Versa that also hit a taco truck and valet stand.

The driver, whose gunshot wound was found by paramedics, was taken to a hospital. Police did not identify him or disclose his condition.

The shooter was described as a man in a blue jersey with a silver revolver.

“This is under police investigation,” VanGerpen said. “This will be a large investigation with the LAPD.”

The club, Vermont Hollywood, was hosting a reggae/hip-hop event, according to its online calendar.

A phone message left with the business was not returned.

A fight had broken out outside the club before the incident, said Maria Medrano, who was working a food cart outside.