Possible hate crime at L.A. strip club leads to leg amputations for two men, police say

(CBS) LOS ANGELES - An argument at an L.A. strip club turned violent early Sunday when a man reportedly plowed his car into two other men, causing them to undergo leg amputations, CBS Los Angeles reports.

The incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Sam's Hofbrau strip club, according to Los Angeles police officers at the scene.

The suspect reportedly rammed the men with his white BMW, pinning them against a black Mini-Cooper. The Mini-Cooper, which is said to belong to one of the club's employees, was then pushed up against a wall, according to the station.

Police are treating the incident as a possible hate crime because the suspect, described as African American and in his 50s, reportedly made racial comments to the victims, both described as Hispanic, when the argument began inside the club, CBS Los Angeles says.

Following the crash, the suspect reportedly sat for some time in his vehicle with his head slumped. He was placed under arrest.

The victims were transported to a hospital where they were both undergoing surgery. One victim needed his right leg amputated above the knee, the other needed both legs amputated above the knee, the LAPD said.