The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, and three counts of murder have been filed against him following a crash in Los Angeles in which three people were killed and two were seriously injured.
The accident occurred during traffic congestion on Tuesday. The driver was identified as Ihor Demianenko, 61. He was treated in hospital for minor injuries and was arrested early on Wednesday. Bail was set at $6 million. Authorities stated that the driver was able to speak but appeared to be in shock after the crash.
A local CBS News affiliate reported that the car struck a food stand near a bus stop along Lankershim Boulevard. The three women who died were between 40 and 60 years old, and authorities have not released their names. The two injured women are in their 50s.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that the victims included street vendors and pedestrians. In a post on X, she said: "My heart is broken for the families of all those affected."
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that authorities would review video footage in the area as part of a "long, but very thorough investigation". Aerial footage of the scene shows a white, partially crushed small SUV that appears to have mounted the pavement and struck the side of a mass transit shelter structure. The investigation is ongoing.
