Three people were killed and several others seriously injured after a white SUV struck a group of street vendors and pedestrians near a metro station in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, on Tuesday afternoon. The driver was also critically injured in the devastating collision, which occurred at a busy intersection in the California neighborhood.
The crash took place at approximately 5:55 p.m., near the entrance to a metro station, where pedestrians and street vendors were gathered. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the white SUV collided with the group of pedestrians under circumstances that remain under investigation.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that three people died at the scene. Several additional victims were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition, where they were receiving emergency medical treatment.
The driver, described as a man in his 60s, was among those injured. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to authorities.
Investigators are examining whether the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or other substances when the crash occurred. Police Captain Warner Castillo said authorities were conducting tests to determine whether impairment played a role in the collision. However, authorities have not confirmed that alcohol or drugs were involved, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.
Investigators are also attempting to obtain surveillance footage from cameras in the surrounding area, including those near the metro station and a nearby bus stop. The recordings could provide crucial information about the SUV’s movements before the collision, how the pedestrians were positioned and what happened in the moments leading up to the impact.
Los Angeles Police Chief Promises Detailed Investigation
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said authorities would conduct a thorough investigation to determine precisely what happened. Officials have not released the identities of those killed, while information about the injured victims and their medical conditions remains limited.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed condolences to the families of those killed and offered support to everyone affected by the tragedy.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the deadly incident, with additional details about the victims, the injured and the circumstances of the crash expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
