At least 3 people dead after vehicle strikes pedestrians in North Hollywood, officials say

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California — At least three people are dead and two others are injured after an SUV crashed into a group of street vendors and pedestrians near a Metro entrance in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, officials said Tuesday night.

The driver, 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the Los Angeles Police Department told CNN Wednesday morning. Bail was set at $6,030,000 according to LA County Sheriff inmate records.

It is unclear whether Demianenko has an attorney.

Around 5:55 p.m., a white SUV collided with at least five pedestrians, according to the LAPD.

Three people died at the busy intersection, while at least three others were transported to local hospitals in critical condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said immediately after the crash. The driver was among those hospitalized, police said.

Demianenko was talking after being pulled from his vehicle, but seemed to be in shock, LAPD Captain Warner Castillo said during a news conference at the scene.

"We don't know if it was done intentionally or it was done by accident," he said Tuesday night.

The LAPD Major Collision Investigation Team and Valley Traffic Division detectives said the driver was trying to avoid another car that was driving "legally and safely," CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL reported.

Aerial video from KCBS/KCAL shows a white SUV underneath a blue canopy stopped next to a covered Metro entrance with scattered debris surrounding the area. Fire trucks and police cars blocked the intersection as they responded to the incident.

Witness Angela Parker recalled hearing a loud bang from the crash as the chaos unfolded.

"The car goes into the glass … all the glass is falling down," she told CNN affiliate KABC.

She said she knew four women caught up in the crash, identifying them as food vendors who would hand out food to people in need.

"They were so kind to me," she said.

"I'm heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on X, adding that her office is coordinating closely with authorities as they work to determine the cause of the "horrific incident."

"We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available," she added.

Investigators are looking for security camera footage from the bus station as they investigate the crash, police said.

"It'll be a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims that were struck here tonight."

This story has been updated with additional information.