Executive Summary
- Casualties: Three people died at the scene; six others were injured, with four hospitalized.
- Incident Details: A Toyota Prius struck a bicyclist and crashed into a 99 Ranch Market in Westwood.
- Investigation: The driver is cooperating with police and undergoing medical evaluation.
- Context: The crash occurred near UCLA, but no students were involved.
Three people were killed and six others sustained injuries on Thursday afternoon when a vehicle collided with a bicyclist before crashing into a 99 Ranch Market in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incident, which prompted a significant emergency response, occurred shortly after noon near the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus.
According to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz, three victims were trapped beneath the vehicle inside the store and were pronounced dead at the scene. Fire department reports confirmed that four other individuals were transported to area hospitals; two were listed in serious condition, while two others suffered minor injuries. Two additional people at the scene declined medical transport against advice.
Los Angeles Police Lt. Anthony Espinoza stated that the driver of a Toyota Prius lost control of the vehicle after striking a bicyclist, subsequently swerving into the bakery section of the grocery store. The driver, identified as a woman, is reportedly cooperating with investigators and was undergoing a medical evaluation at the scene. The condition of the bicyclist was not immediately available.
Television footage from the scene depicted a silver sedan fully inside the structure on Westwood Boulevard, surrounded by debris. Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that the Mayor’s Office Crisis Response Team was deployed to assist victims and their families. Lt. Espinoza noted that while the crash occurred near UCLA, no university students were among the casualties.
Investigative Outlook
The Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation is currently focused on determining the precise cause of the loss of control, specifically whether mechanical failure or a medical emergency played a role. Authorities will likely review surveillance footage and the results of the driver’s medical evaluation to establish a timeline of events. While the driver is cooperating and no immediate arrest was reported, the findings will determine if the case warrants referral to prosecutors for potential charges related to vehicular negligence. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
