Three killed and two injured after SUV hits food stand near North Hollywood bus stop
An SUV crashed into a food stand near a Metro bus stop in North Hollywood, killing three women and injuring two others, while the driver was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police said an SUV collided with a food stand near the Metro station at the corner of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards in North Hollywood at about 5:55 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Firefighters reported three victims were pronounced dead at the scene and three others were taken to a nearby hospital, two of whom remained in critical condition.
The deceased were identified as Latina women aged between 40 and 60, while the critically injured were also Latina women aged between 50 and 55. The driver, a Valley Village resident named Ihor Demianenko, was extricated from the vehicle, treated for serious injuries and arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder. He is being held on bail exceeding $6 million.
LAPD officials said investigators believe Demianenko was attempting to avoid another vehicle that was traveling legally when the crash occurred. Detectives are reviewing security-camera footage from the bus station and nearby businesses.
"Our hearts go out to the families of the victims that were struck here tonight," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Mayor Karen Bass expressed sympathy for the families in a statement posted on X.
The investigation remains ongoing.