A vehicle struck several pedestrians and street vendors late Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles , California. Three people were killed and three others seriously injured, including the driver. The tragedy occurred in the North Hollywood neighborhood, near a busy subway station. Police are investigating whether it was an accident or a deliberate act.
A white SUV drives onto the sidewalk and hits several people.
The incident occurred on Tuesday around 17:55 p.m. local time (2:55 a.m. Wednesday in France), at the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard, in the North Hollywood district , north of Los Angeles.
A white SUV traveling on Lankershim Boulevard suddenly mounted the sidewalk, striking several people near the entrance to the North Hollywood subway station. The vehicle notably hit a food stand located near a bus stop in an area heavily frequented by commuters during rush hour.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, five pedestrians were struck. Three of them died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency responders. Two other people were transported to the hospital in critical condition, as was the driver of the vehicle.
Street vendors cut down in the middle of their work
The impact was particularly violent. The SUV ended up on the sidewalk, under a blue canopy sheltering food vendors, in the immediate vicinity of public transport facilities.
Several witnesses described a scene of chaos. Two women selling hot dogs were reportedly thrown into the air by the force of the impact. Victims were found on the ground, while debris littered the area around the station.
The area is frequented daily by numerous street vendors offering coffee, pastries, and Mexican specialties to commuters using public transportation. The accident occurred during rush hour, as many residents were returning home.
The driver is hospitalized in critical condition
The driver, a man in his sixties, was taken into care by emergency services after being extracted from his vehicle. He was conscious and able to speak to the rescuers, but appeared to be in a state of shock.
Los Angeles firefighters mobilized several ambulances, emergency vehicles, and specialized medical teams. A significant police presence was also deployed to secure the scene and allow investigators to conduct their initial investigation.
The identities of the three deceased have not yet been released. Authorities have also not provided any further details regarding the victims' ages.
Accident or deliberate act? The police are not ruling out any hypothesis.
The exact circumstances of the tragedy are still being investigated. Investigators are particularly focused on understanding why the vehicle left the road before hitting the pedestrians.
At this stage, the Los Angeles Police Department has not determined whether the driver lost control of the vehicle or deliberately drove into the crowd. Surveillance camera footage will be reviewed to accurately reconstruct the SUV's trajectory.
No criminal or terrorist motive has been established. The investigation is continuing to determine the causes of the collision.
The mayor of Los Angeles reacts to the tragedy
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reacted quickly after the death toll was announced. In a message posted on X, she expressed her solidarity with the victims' families: "My heart breaks for the families of all those affected."
She also stated that her department was working in close coordination with the fire department and the police to shed full light on the circumstances of this tragedy.
Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, also called for the circumstances to be clarified quickly: "We need to understand exactly what happened and what led to this tragedy."
One of the entrances to the North Hollywood station was closed during the rescue operation and initial investigation. Subway and bus services continued to operate, however.
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