City Councilman Curren Price was taken to a hospital by paramedics Wednesday after becoming weak from what turned out to be dehydration while attending a groundbreaking ceremony for the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion project.
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Price, 74, was among multiple city officials in attendance at the 7:30 a.m. event at the downtown convention center. He appeared to become dizzy as people were speaking at the event, and Mayor Karen Bass -- a former nurse -- helped tend to him.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and placed the councilman in a wheelchair and took him to a waiting ambulance.
"During today's groundbreaking for the expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center, Council member Curren Price experienced a health-related incident," Price spokeswoman Angelina Valencia-Dumarot said in a statement. "After undergoing initial evaluations, medical experts determined that he was suffering from dehydration. Out of an abundance of caution, he will continue to be monitored.
"Council member Price is deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support from the community. He extends special thanks to the Los Angeles Fire Department and the medical professionals who provided immediate care, as well as to his colleagues, Council members Heather Hutt and Hugo Soto-Martínez, and Mayor Karen Bass, who quickly stepped forward to assist him.
"Council member Price remains committed to the people of District 9 and Los Angeles. Today's incident will not lessen his dedication to serving families, strengthening neighborhoods, and working alongside the community to build a brighter future for all Angelenos."
The LAFD said only that paramedics responded to the convention center and took one person to a hospital in fair condition.
Price has represented the Ninth District, which includes most of South Los Angeles and Exposition Park, since 2013. He previously served in the state Assembly and state Senate.
He was charged in 2023 with multiple public corruption counts alleging he voted to approve projects involving developers who had paid money to a consulting company owned by Price's wife. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3, when a hearing will be held to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
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