Three people were killed and three others critically injured after a white SUV struck pedestrians near the North Hollywood Metro station in Los Angeles on Tuesday at approximately 5:55 p.m. local time, authorities confirmed.
The driver, a man in his 60s, was among those hospitalized. Police and fire officials said the vehicle hit at least five people near a food stand at the corner of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, where vendors typically operate. The incident triggered a large emergency response, with multiple fire trucks and ambulances dispatched to the scene.
Core Facts and Immediate Response
Emergency responders pronounced three victims dead at the scene, while three others were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Joe Everett described the scene as a vehicle that "careened into a number of people on the sidewalk." The driver was extricated from the wreckage and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement expressing grief for the victims' families and noted that authorities were coordinating to determine the cause of the crash. "I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted," she said. "We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."
Investigation and Early Findings
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said investigators were reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses to establish the circumstances leading to the crash. He emphasized that the probe was in its early stages and declined to speculate on the driver’s condition or potential impairment. Police stated they did not believe a second vehicle was involved.
Drug recognition experts were deployed to the hospital to assess the driver, though no official confirmation of impairment has been released. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
Context and Impact
The crash occurred in a busy commercial area near the North Hollywood Metro station, a hub for public transit in the San Fernando Valley. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with at least two women selling hot dogs thrown into the air by the impact. Aerial footage showed the SUV stopped on the sidewalk underneath a canopy where the food stand was located.
Metro officials confirmed that elevator and escalator access to the station was temporarily unavailable due to the incident, advising commuters to use alternative routes. The closure affected both the west G Line entrance and the Universal/Studio City Station via Metro Bus Line 224.
Victims Identified as Street Vendors
Local reports identified the three deceased individuals as street vendors operating near the bus stop. The injured included the driver and two others, with one person extricated from the wreckage. The severity of the victims' conditions has not been fully disclosed.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or the driver, pending notification of next of kin. The investigation is expected to take time, with officials cautioning against premature conclusions about the cause of the crash.
Ongoing Developments
The Los Angeles Police Department and Fire Department continue to investigate the incident, with updates expected as more information becomes available. Mayor Bass reiterated the city’s commitment to supporting the victims' families and ensuring a thorough inquiry.