Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after crash near North Hollywood Metro station kills three
Police say a 61-year-old man driving a white minivan was arrested on felony DUI charges after a crash near the North Hollywood Metro station that killed three women and injured two others.
Police arrested 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko on felony driving-under-the-influence charges after a white minivan struck pedestrians near the North Hollywood Metro station on Tuesday evening. The Los Angeles Police Department said Demianenko was traveling southbound on North Lankershim Boulevard at an unsafe speed, veered off the road and hit several people on the sidewalk, including street vendors.
Three women, aged 40, 53 and 69, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other women, aged between 50 and 55, were hospitalized in critical condition. Demianenko was trapped in the vehicle, extricated by responders, treated for minor injuries and later taken into custody. He faces three counts of murder and is being held on bail exceeding $6 million.
"Investigators have the video. They'll run it down and slow motion it and take it frame-by-frame to determine what happened," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.
"Today, an SUV drove onto a sidewalk near the North Hollywood Metro Station, striking a group of street vendors and pedestrians. Tragically, preliminary reports indicate that three people have lost their lives and others have been injured. 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. I am heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review video evidence and gather witness statements.