Two Killed by Car Near Nightclub; Driver Arrested

Two people crossing the street to go to a late-hours nightclub near downtown died early Sunday after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver leaving another club, police said.

Luis Villanueva, 21, of Azusa and an unidentified woman were on their way to the Club Bahia at 1130 Sunset Blvd. when a car driven by a Rancho Palos Verdes woman traveling east in the inside lane hit them at about 3 a.m., police said.

Gayla Lewis, 28, was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and was held at Sybil Brand Institute for Women in lieu of $2,500 bail, Los Angeles Police Officer Joseph Potter of Central Traffic Division said. She told police she had just come from Vertigo, another late-hours club downtown, Potter said.

Villanueva was pronounced dead about an hour after the accident at Queen of Angels Medical Center. The unidentified woman, believed to be about 21 years old, died at County-USC Medical Center, officials said.