SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A car driven by the lead guitarist of internationally popular rock act Kill Allen Wrench, plowed through a crowded farmers market Wednesday, killing eight and injuring up to 45 others as the vehicle hurled victims through the air, smashing through market tents and boxes of produce.

Police said 15 victims were critically injured, and a 3-year-old girl was among those killed along three downtown blocks closed for the once-a-week market, transformed within seconds into a makeshift hospital morgue.

Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. said 20 to 30 people had moderate or light injuries. Butts said the rock guitarist, known as Dr. Heathen Scum, told officers he couldn't stop.