LOS ANGELES — Three people died and several others suffered severe injuries Tuesday evening when an SUV slammed into an outdoor food stand near a transit station in North Hollywood, emergency officials said.
Firefighters and police officers were called to the scene at approximately 5:55 p.m. near the intersection of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, adjacent to a Metro bus stop and rail hub, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Responders encountered a catastrophic scene with multiple pedestrians struck along the sidewalk.
Authorities confirmed that three people were pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics transported at least three additional people to nearby hospitals. Emergency crews had to extricate at least one individual trapped in the wreckage, fire officials noted.
Investigators examine sequence of events
The vehicle involved was identified as a white SUV. Aerial footage showed the vehicle stopped on the sidewalk beneath a canopy where the street food setup had been operating, CBS News reported. Witnesses told CBS LA that the three individuals who died were street vendors working in the area, including one vendor who had sold food at the location for more than 15 years.
The driver of the SUV, identified by police as a man in his 60s, was among those transported to an area hospital. Fox News reported the driver was listed in critical condition, while CBS News reported the driver was hospitalized in serious condition. By late Tuesday night, CBS News reported that among the other injured patients, one person was in stable condition while another remained in critical care.
Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Team and the Valley Traffic Division stated preliminary findings suggest the motorist was attempting to steer clear of another car that was driving legally and safely just before the impact occurred.
Impairment evaluation and community reaction
Police officials said the motorist was being assessed by drug recognition experts to determine if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized that investigators will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident.
“It’ll be a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” McDonnell told reporters, as reported by Fox News and CBS News. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims that were struck here tonight.”
City leaders also offered condolences as emergency personnel worked to clear the busy transit corridor. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared a statement on X expressing grief over the crash.
“I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted,” Bass said, according to statements cited by Fox News and CBS News. “We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”
Detectives said they are continuing to gather and review surveillance video recorded by security cameras at the Metro bus station and nearby commercial businesses to piece together the vehicle’s path. Official identifications of the victims have not yet been made public, and authorities have not announced whether any criminal charges will be filed as the investigation remains ongoing.
