LOS ANGELES (AP) – A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday evening in North Hollywood when a minivan crashed into several individuals outside a metro station during rush hour. The accident claimed the lives of three people, while the driver, who is in his 60s, along with at least two others, sustained critical injuries, according to authorities.
The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. at a bustling intersection, where the minivan ended up underneath a food vendor's tent. Los Angeles Police Captain Warner Castillo stated that the driver was rescued from the vehicle and was able to speak despite appearing to be in shock. The cause of the crash remains undetermined, with officials not ruling out any possibilities.
Castillo remarked, “We don’t know if it was done intentionally, if it was done by accident”, during a news conference following the incident. The minivan was later seen on the sidewalk, its driver's side door ajar and the airbag deployed, as emergency crews responded to the scene amid the chaos.
Witnesses at the scene described a harrowing experience. Luis Luna-Guzman, who was operating a nearby burger stand, recounted hearing a loud boom and watching people scatter in the aftermath of the crash. He immediately noticed a woman laying near the bike racks, her face, arms, and legs covered in blood. In an attempt to comfort her, he told her, "Don’t move, help is coming." He also reported seeing a deceased woman nearby, while another woman lay motionless on the stairs leading to the metro station.
The victims of this tragic incident included street vendors along with pedestrians, as mentioned by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Expressing her condolences, she stated, "I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted," in a post on social media platform X.
As the investigation continues, authorities plan to review video footage from the area. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized that the inquiry will be “prolonged but very deliberate,” ensuring all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined.
In light of this unfortunate event, the community is left grappling with the loss and the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances that led to such a catastrophic outcome.
