At Least Three Killed in North Hollywood Food Stand Crash

a cordoned-off street intersection at dusk, yellow police tape blocking off a damaged sidewalk street food stand and a white SUV crashed nearby, first responder

AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.

Fatal Collision at North Hollywood Food Stand

At least three people were killed on Tuesday night when an SUV crashed into a food stand close to a bus stop in North Hollywood, Los Angeles. The incident took place at approximately 5:55 p.m. near the Metro station at the intersection of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, authorities said.

Emergency Response and Victims

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that three people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Three additional individuals were transported to a nearby hospital. Of those, two were in critical condition after the accident, while one remained in stable condition as of late Tuesday night. Firefighters had to extricate one of the injured from the wreckage.

Authorities and Statements

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the tragedy, stating, "I'm heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available." The mayor's message was posted on social media following the incident. Los Angeles Police Department officers confirmed that the driver of the SUV was among those hospitalized and was in serious condition as of Tuesday evening.

Investigation and Arrest

Police identified the driver as Ihor Demianenko, 61, according to jail records. Demianenko was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder and was being held on approximately $6 million bail. The LAPD reported that their drug recognition experts were evaluating Demianenko to determine whether he was under the influence at the time of the crash.

The LAPD Major Collision Investigation Team and Valley Traffic Division noted that Demianenko appeared to be attempting to avoid another vehicle that was operating "legally and safely" before the crash occurred. Authorities are seeking security footage from the Metro station and nearby businesses as part of their ongoing investigation.

"It'll be a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims that were struck here tonight."

Victims Identified as Street Vendors

According to witness accounts, the three deceased victims were street vendors working in the area. One of the vendors is said to have worked at the location for more than 15 years. Aerial images from the scene showed the white SUV having come to rest on the sidewalk underneath a canopy where the food stand was located.

Ongoing Developments

The cause of the crash remains under investigation as police continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Updates will be provided as more details become available.