North Hollywood Metro station crash kills three, driver charged with DUI and murder
A 61-year-old driver of a minivan that entered a sidewalk near the North Hollywood B Line station has been booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder after three pedestrians were killed.
Los Angeles police said Ihor Demianenko, 61, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder after his minivan jumped a curb and struck a crowd of pedestrians near the North Hollywood B Line Metro station on Tuesday just before 6 p.m. The vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, entered the sidewalk at the 3500 block of North Lankershim Boulevard, collided with a food-vendor stand and a crowd, and caused three deaths at the scene. Two other pedestrians and the driver were taken to a hospital for treatment, LAPD Capt. Mike Bland said.
Mayor Karen Bass said first responders were on the scene and city departments were coordinating the investigation. "First responders are on the scene, and my office is closely coordinating with City departments as authorities work to determine what caused this horrific incident," she posted on X.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed condolences, noting the tragic loss of life and wishing recovery for the injured.
The crash follows a similar incident two months earlier in Chatsworth, where a driver was charged after a minivan struck a Metro bus, killing two passengers.