NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA. (THECOUNT) — Ihor Demianenko, 61, of Valley Village, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder after a minivan crashed into pedestrians and street vendors near a Metro station in North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, killing three women and critically injuring two others.
The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, near the intersection of North Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood.
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Los Angeles police said Demianenko was driving a white Toyota Sienna at an unsafe speed when it veered to the right, left the roadway and struck pedestrians and food vendors gathered along the sidewalk. The minivan then crashed into a light pole before coming to rest beneath a food vendor’s tent.
The three women killed were between 40 and 69 years old. Their identities had not been released as of Wednesday. Two other women, both in their 50s, were hospitalized with critical injuries.
Demianenko was trapped inside the wreckage until emergency crews freed him. He was able to speak but appeared to be in shock, according to police. He was treated at a hospital for injuries before being booked early Wednesday. His bail was set at approximately $6 million.
It was not immediately known whether Demianenko had retained an attorney who could respond to the allegations.
Witness Describes Chaotic Scene
Luis Luna-Guzman was working at a nearby burger stand when he heard a loud crash. He said he saw people lying on the ground, surrounded by scattered food and cups, as bystanders rushed toward the victims.
Luna-Guzman described finding an injured woman near a set of bicycle racks. Her face, arms and legs were bloody, and she was moaning in pain with her eyes closed.
“I told her, ‘Don’t move, help is coming,'” he recalled.
He also saw a woman lying dead nearby and another woman motionless on the stairs leading to the Metro station.
The impact threw victims in different directions, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s account of the collision. The minivan ultimately came to rest beneath the vendor’s tent.
Police Investigating What Led To Crash
Authorities have not publicly established why the vehicle left the roadway. Police said investigators will review available surveillance and other video footage frame by frame to determine what happened.
“It will be probably a prolonged but a very deliberate investigation to determine what happened here,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.
California law allows prosecutors to pursue murder charges in certain fatal DUI cases, depending on the circumstances and evidence. The charges against Demianenko remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The crash occurred outside the North Hollywood B Line Metro station, near the intersection of North Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard. The scene is in North Hollywood, within the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The reported crash location is the intersection area; a Google Maps link could not be independently opened and verified.
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