A 61-year-old Los Angeles driver has been arrested on three counts of murder following a devastating vehicle collision that claimed three lives outside a busy metro station in the North Hollywood neighbourhood on Tuesday during rush hour.
The minivan, driven by Valley Village resident Ihor Demianenko, struck pedestrians and street vendors at a crowded intersection near the transit station, leaving two additional victims with critical injuries. The vehicle came to rest beneath a food vendor's tent, with emergency crews quickly mobilizing to aid the injured.
Police removed Demianenko from the vehicle, noting he appeared to be in shock immediately following the incident. Authorities have not yet determined whether the crash was intentional or accidental, and investigators say a thorough examination of video evidence will be required to establish the exact sequence of events.
"It will be probably a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here," Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell told media.
Among those at the scene was Luis Luna-Guzman, working at a nearby burger stand when he heard what he described as a loud boom. He rushed toward the crash site to find victims scattered across the intersection with severe injuries.
"I told her, 'Don't move, help is coming,'" Luna-Guzman recounted, describing finding an injured woman with blood covering her face, arms, and legs near bike racks at the transit station entrance.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that street vendors and pedestrians were among those struck by the vehicle. Councillor Adrin Nazarian, whose district encompasses North Hollywood, described the area as a tight-knit community known for its constant activity and foot traffic.
The crash sent shockwaves through the busy transit hub, with emergency services responding quickly to provide aid. One entrance to the metro station remained closed following the incident, though the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority confirmed that bus and subway operations otherwise continued normally.
The Los Angeles Police Department has booked Demianenko on three counts of murder. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation to respond to the charges.
Information provided by CBC World via The Associated Press.