A 61-year-old driver faces three counts of murder after his vehicle struck pedestrians and street vendors near a North Hollywood Metro station on Tuesday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Ihor Demianenko, a resident of Valley Village, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following the crash, which occurred around 5:55 p.m. near the intersection of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, CNN reported.
The collision, which took place during the evening rush hour, left three women dead and critically injured two others, CBC noted. The victims were Hispanic women between the ages of 40 and 60, according to police statements reported by various outlets.
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“I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement released on X.
Details of the collision
Demianenko was driving a white Toyota Sienna southbound on Lankershim Boulevard when the vehicle veered right at an unsafe speed, Fox News reported. The minivan struck a food vendor’s tent and several pedestrians on the sidewalk before becoming stuck, CBC said.
Aerial footage from the scene showed the white vehicle stopped beneath a blue canopy next to a covered Metro entrance, with debris scattered across the area, according to KCBS/KCAL.
Witnesses described a violent impact. Lincoln Brown, who was walking away from the station at the time, told NBC Los Angeles that he heard a “huge boom” and turned to see a car smashed against the Metro.
Angela Parker, a North Hollywood resident, told KABC that the car went into the glass and she saw all the glass falling down. One witness told the station that two women selling hot dogs were thrown into the air by the force of the impact.
The Los Angeles Police Department Major Collision Investigation Team and Valley Traffic Division are investigating the incident. Detectives stated the driver was attempting to avoid another vehicle that was traveling “legally and safely” before the crash, CBS News reported. While authorities determined the suspect was under the influence, they did not specify the substance involved, Fox News reported.
LAPD News – On Nov. 10, 2026, at 5:55 p.m., a white SUV struck at least five pedestrians at Lankershim Blvd. and Chandler Blvd. Three pedestrians died. The driver was hospitalized in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing. Updates to follow.
Demianenko was extricated from the wreckage by paramedics and police. While he was initially treated at a hospital for injuries, the LAPD later updated that his injuries were minor, NBC News reported.
LAPD Captain Warner Castillo said that Demianenko appeared to be in shock and was speaking after being removed from the vehicle. He is currently being held on bail set at $6.03 million, Yahoo News stated. It is not immediately clear if he has legal representation.
Crash occurs near North Hollywood Metro station in dangerous corridor
The crash occurred in a busy area near the North Hollywood Metro station, an area described by Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian as a close-knit community. FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that the location is known for numerous food stands that serve commuters and local workers.
The stretch of Lankershim Boulevard between Chandler and Victory boulevards has been identified by transportation officials as a dangerous corridor; between 2009 and 2019, that section saw 22 severe and fatal collisions, according to the L.A. Department of Transportation.
While many identities remain withheld pending next-of-kin notification, family members have identified some of the deceased. ABC7 Los Angeles reported that Maria Peck was among the victims, and the medical examiner’s office identified Teodora Villalobos as having lost her life. Other reports confirmed the ages of the deceased as 40, 53, and 69. Two other Hispanic women, aged 50 to 55, were hospitalized in critical condition.
The victims, who were street vendors selling items such as coffee, tamales, hot dogs, and pastries, were described as community fixtures. Candy Gamboa told CNN that the women were a “pillar of the community” and were known for greeting everyone with a smile. Local street photographer Jeff Wilson, who photographed one of the women four months ago, called her an “anchor” of the community due to her decade of service.
A memorial has been established at the scene, where community members have left flowers and candles near the site of the crash, Los Angeles Times reported. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed her shock at the loss of life, stating her thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.
Investigation and support continue
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said that the department will review security camera footage from the Metro station and surrounding businesses to assist with the probe. CBS News reported.
“It'll be a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” McDonnell told reporters.
Regarding transit, Jose Ubaldo, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that while one Metro entrance remained closed Tuesday night, the subway and bus stations remained open and the property was otherwise unaffected. CBC noted.
“We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” Mayor Bass said.
Today, an SUV drove onto a sidewalk near the North Hollywood Metro Station, striking a group of street vendors and pedestrians. Tragically, preliminary reports indicate that three people have lost their lives and others have been injured. First responders are on the scene, and…