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

Police say three people are dead after an SUV crashed into a food stand near a North Hollywood bus stop in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. 

The collision occurred at around 5:55 p.m. local time near the Metro station at the corner of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, according to the LA Police Department. 

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

The LAPD said the victims were each Latina women between the ages of 40 and 60. They're yet to be identified publicly, pending notification of next of kin.

The critically injured individuals are also Latina women between 50 and 55 years old.

Crews extricated one person, the driver, from the wreckage, according to LAFD.

"I'm heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted," Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a statement on X. "We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."

LAPD officers said the driver of the white SUV was in serious condition and was determined to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

The driver was identified by police as Ihor Demianenko, a Valley Village resident. He was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder.

He's currently being held on more than $6 million bail.

The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, but LAPD Major Collision Investigation Team and Valley Traffic Division detectives said that Demianenko was attempting to avoid another car that was driving "legally and safely" before the crash. Police said they would continue looking for security camera footage from the Metro bus station and businesses in the surrounding area as their probe continued.

"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."

Aerial footage showed the white SUV stopped on the sidewalk underneath a canopy, where the food stand was set up. Witnesses told CBS LA the three deceased victims were street vendors in the area, one of whom worked there for more than 15 years.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.