Driver charged with murder after plowing into pedestrians in LA: Police
Police allege the driver was under the influence during the incident.
A man was charged with murder after he allegedly drove under the influence and crashed his minivan into pedestrians on the sidewalk near a Los Angeles Metro station Tuesday evening, killing three women and wounding others, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Around 5:55 p.m., Ihor Demianenko was allegedly driving his Toyota Sienna southbound on Lankershim Boulevard "at an unsafe speed when it veered to the right, ran off the road and collided with a tri-light," the LAPD said in a statement Friday.
The minivan hit pedestrians and food vendors who were on the sidewalk near a metro station, the LAPD alleged.
"The force of the collision caused the pedestrians and private property to be thrown in different directions," the LAPD said in a statement.
Three women were pronounced dead at the scene, the police said. They were between 40 and 60 years old, according to the LAPD.
Two other women, between 50 and 55, were transported to a hospital in critical condition, according to the police.
Demianenko, 61, was trapped inside the minivan until paramedics arrived, according to the police. He suffered minor injuries and was determined to be under the influence, according to the LAPD.
He was transported to the hospital, arrested and charged with three counts of murder. He was being held on $6 million bail.
In a social media post, LA Mayor Karen Bass said the SUV drove onto the sidewalk near the North Hollywood Metro Station, "striking a group of street vendors and pedestrians."
She added, "I'm heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted."
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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