Driver Arrested on DUI and Murder Charges After Minivan Plows Into Pedestrians Near Hollywood Metro Station, Killing 3 Women

A devastating crash near a busy Metro station in Los Angeles has left three women dead and several others seriously injured after a driver allegedly lost control of his minivan and slammed into a group of pedestrians and street vendors during the evening rush hour.

The driver, identified as 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko of Valley Village, California, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The deadly incident happened shortly before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, near the intersection of North Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

According to authorities, Demianenko was driving a white Toyota Sienna southbound along Lankershim Boulevard when the vehicle suddenly veered to the right at what police described as an unsafe speed.

The minivan left the roadway, struck a streetlight, and crashed into several pedestrians and food vendors gathered on the sidewalk near the North Hollywood Metro station.

The force of the collision sent people and debris flying in different directions. The vehicle eventually came to a stop beneath a food vendor’s tent.

Three women, whose ages ranged from 40 to 60, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their identities had not been released pending notification of their families.

Two additional women, both in their 50s, suffered critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

Authorities said the victims included street vendors and pedestrians who were in the area when the minivan suddenly struck the crowd.

The aftermath was described as chaotic and horrifying by witnesses who rushed to help the injured.

Luis Luna-Guzman, who was working at a nearby burger stand, said he heard a loud crash before seeing people lying on the ground alongside scattered food and debris.

As he approached the scene, he found an injured woman near a set of bicycle racks. She had visible injuries to her face, arms, and legs and appeared to be struggling.

“I told her, ‘Don’t move, help is coming,'” Luna-Guzman recalled.

He also described seeing another woman lying motionless near the bicycle racks and a third woman on the stairs leading to the Metro station.

Other witnesses said the impact was so violent that they initially feared the vehicle had crashed directly into the station.

One bystander, Gian Barbarona, said he narrowly avoided being struck by the speeding minivan.

“I felt the wind of the whoosh, of the wind, on my left shoulder,” he told ABC7.

Emergency responders quickly arrived and began treating victims while firefighters worked to remove the driver from the wreckage. Demianenko had become trapped inside the vehicle and required assistance to be freed.

Police said he was conscious and able to speak following the crash, although he appeared to be in shock. He was transported to a hospital with minor injuries before being taken into custody.

On Wednesday, November 11, authorities confirmed that Demianenko had been arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and three counts of murder.

According to jail records, he was being held on approximately $6.03 million bail.

Under California law, a driver involved in a fatal DUI crash can face murder charges when prosecutors believe the circumstances demonstrate implied malice, including a conscious disregard for human life. However, the allegations must still be established through the legal process.

Investigators have not yet determined exactly what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway or whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said investigators would carefully review available surveillance footage and examine the circumstances leading up to the crash.

“It will be probably a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” he said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also expressed condolences to the victims and their families, noting that the crash affected both street vendors and pedestrians in the neighborhood.

“I’m heartbroken for the families of everyone impacted,” Bass said in a statement.

The tragedy has deeply affected the North Hollywood community, particularly the local vendors who regularly worked near the Metro station. For many people in the area, the sidewalk was more than just a busy street corner — it was a familiar gathering place where vendors earned their living and commuters passed through every day.

As investigators continue examining the crash, families are left mourning the three women who lost their lives and hoping for the recovery of those who remain hospitalized.

Demianenko’s case remains under investigation. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether he has retained an attorney who can respond to the allegations.

SOURCES:

1. PEOPLE Magazine – November 11, 2026