Driver Arrested on Murder, DUI Charges in Fatal North Hollywood Metro Crash

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. A 61-year-old Valley Village man has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder and felony driving under the influence after authorities say his white Toyota Sienna left the roadway and struck pedestrians and food vendors on the sidewalk outside the North Hollywood Metro station Tuesday evening, 11.10.26, killing three women.

The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on November 10 in the 5300 block of North Lankershim Boulevard near Chandler Boulevard, at the busy entrance to the Metro B Line station. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Demianenko was traveling southbound on Lankershim at an unsafe speed when the vehicle veered to the right, ran off the road, collided with a traffic light, and struck several pedestrians and food vendors gathered on the sidewalk. The force of the impact threw people and property in different directions. He remained trapped in the vehicle until first responders arrived.

Unregulated, unlicensed vendors have become a common site in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced three Hispanic women dead at the scene. They were 40, 53, and 69 years old. Two additional Hispanic women, ages 50 and 55, were transported to a hospital in critical condition. One of the injured women was later reported to be in stable condition. Names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Preliminary reports and witness accounts indicated that at least two of those killed were street vendors who regularly set up near the station.

Demianenko, who suffered minor injuries, was extricated from the vehicle, appeared conscious and speaking but in shock, and was taken to a hospital. He was later determined to be under the influence and arrested. NBC Los Angeles reported his blood-alcohol level was double the legal limit. He was booked into the LAPD Valley Jail in Van Nuys on three counts of murder. Bail was set at $6.03 million.

The vehicle has been identified as a Toyota Sienna. Some initial video review suggested the driver may have been attempting to avoid another vehicle, though the full circumstances remain under investigation by LAPD Valley Traffic Division detectives. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities, but the case is being handled as a traffic collision involving suspected impairment. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted investigators have video and are conducting a deliberate investigation.

The intersection of Lankershim and Chandler was closed for several hours but has since reopened. No food vendors were present at the station Wednesday morning. Mayor Karen Bass and other officials expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division detectives or Crime Stoppers. This remains a developing story.

Sources include Los Angeles Fire Department alerts, LA Times, NBC Los Angeles, KTLA, ABC7, and other local reporting.