At least 3 dead when SUV crashes into North Hollywood food stand; driver arrested on suspicion of murder

At least three people are dead after an SUV crashed into a food stand near a bus stop in North Hollywood in Los Angeles Tuesday evening.

The collision occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time near the subway station at the corner of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters said three people died at the scene, while three others were transported to a nearby hospital, two of whom were in critical condition at the time. As of 11 p.m., one of the victims was in stable condition while the other remained in critical condition.

Crews pulled one person from the wreckage, according to the LAFD.

“I am heartbroken for the families of everyone affected,” Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a statement on X. “We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”

Los Angeles Police Department officers said the driver of the white SUV was one of three people taken to an area hospital. He was reported to be in serious condition and was being analyzed by LAPD drug recognition experts to determine if he was under the influence at the time of the crash.

He was identified by police as Ihor Demianenko. Jail records indicate he is 61 years old and is being held on approximately $6 million bail. He was arrested on three counts of murder.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are still under investigation, but detectives with the LAPD Major Collision Investigation Team and Valley Traffic Division said Demianenko was trying to avoid another car that was traveling “legally and safely” before the crash. Police said they will continue to search security camera footage from the Metro bus station and surrounding businesses as they continue their investigation.

“This will be a lengthy but very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims who were struck here this evening.”

Aerial footage shows the white SUV stopped on the sidewalk under an awning, where the food stand was set up. Witnesses told CBS LA that the three deceased victims were street vendors in the neighborhood, one of whom had worked there for more than 15 years.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.