Three Killed as SUV Crashes Into Los Angeles Food Stand

An intoxicated driver crashed an SUV into a group of street vendors and pedestrians on a sidewalk outside a Los Angeles transit station on Tuesday evening, killing 3 women and injuring 3 other people.

The collision occurred at around 5:55 p.m. near the intersection of North Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard in the North Hollywood neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said that 3 victims died at the scene while paramedics transported 3 other women to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Police identified the driver as 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko of Valley Village and said he was arrested on suspicion of 3 counts of murder.

Investigators said Demianenko was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is currently being held on more than $6 million bail.

The crash sparked an outpouring of grief from community members who remembered the deceased victims as longtime fixtures of the local street vending scene.

“I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted,” said Mayor Karen Bass in a statement.

CBS News reported that witnesses recognized two of the women as vendors named Teodora and Maria who had operated in the area for over a decade.

“Today, she's in heaven. I guarantee they're all in heaven,” said Laduke Warwick.

NBC News reported that the driver was among the injured and that drug-recognition experts were brought to the hospital to check for impairment.

“It’ll be probably a prolonged but very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” said Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

ABC News reported, citing police, that the vehicle was traveling at an unsafe speed before it veered off the road and struck a tri-light on the sidewalk.

CBS News reported that traffic detectives believe the driver may have been trying to avoid another vehicle that was operating legally.

NBC News reported that police did not believe any other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Local officials and community organizers have since partnered to establish a fund to assist the families of the victims.

Authorities continue to examine security camera footage from the transit station and surrounding businesses as the investigation proceeds.