A routine midday shopping period in one of Los Angeles’ busiest neighborhoods turned deadly Thursday after a 92-year-old driver struck a bicyclist and then lost control of her vehicle, crashing into a crowded grocery store in Westwood and killing three people inside, authorities said.
The collision unfolded shortly after noon when the driver of a Toyota Prius hit a bicyclist on a street near the Westwood commercial district, Los Angeles police and fire officials said. Instead of stopping, the car continued for roughly a block before veering off the roadway and slamming into the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market, a popular Asian grocery chain with multiple locations across California.
Inside the store, shoppers and employees were caught off guard as the vehicle burst through the storefront, pinning several people beneath it before coming to rest, officials said. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found extensive damage to the bakery area and multiple victims trapped amid debris.
Los Angeles Fire Department officials said two men, ages 30 and 55, and a 42-year-old woman who were inside the bakery area were pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional men, both 35, were taken to a hospital in critical condition, while two others, ages 37 and 38, were hospitalized in fair condition. In total, six people were injured.
The bicyclist who was struck moments before the crash and the elderly driver both declined medical transport, fire officials said.
Capt. Anthony Espinoza of the Los Angeles Police Department characterized the incident as “an unfortunate accident,” emphasizing that investigators have found no indication the crash was intentional. He said detectives are continuing to examine the sequence of events, including what caused the driver to lose control after the initial collision with the bicyclist.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz confirmed to The Associated Press that the driver was a 92-year-old woman. Authorities said she was cooperating fully with investigators and undergoing a medical evaluation as part of the inquiry, a standard step in serious traffic collisions involving fatalities.
Television footage from the scene showed the silver Prius fully embedded inside the store, its rear hatch popped open amid wreckage. Nearby, a bright yellow sign advertising Korean street food and desserts remained standing, a stark contrast to the destruction around it. The damaged 99 Ranch Market is located about a mile from the University of California, Los Angeles campus and serves a steady flow of students, families and neighborhood residents.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief as emergency crews worked to free victims and secure the area. Sean Divekar, 32, told the Los Angeles Times that he was shaken upon learning that people had been killed in the bakery section he frequented. “I can’t tell you how many coffees I’ve gotten in that bakery,” he said, becoming emotional as he spoke.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the crash has renewed attention on public safety concerns surrounding elderly drivers and pedestrian-heavy commercial corridors. While officials cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete, transportation safety experts note that incidents involving older motorists often raise complex questions about medical fitness, reaction time and licensing standards.
California, like many states, does not impose an upper age limit for driving but requires drivers 70 and older to renew their licenses in person and complete a vision test. Medical evaluations can be triggered if law enforcement, physicians or family members raise concerns. Authorities have not said whether the driver involved in Thursday’s crash had any known medical conditions or driving restrictions.
Urban planners also point to the vulnerability of retail spaces situated directly along busy streets, particularly in areas with high foot traffic and bicycle use. In Westwood, a dense mix of apartments, restaurants and stores draws thousands of pedestrians daily, increasing the potential consequences when vehicles leave the roadway.
Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic camera data and the vehicle itself to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Police have not announced whether any citations or charges are being considered, saying such decisions would come only after a full review of the evidence and medical findings.
The incident marked one of the deadliest vehicle-into-building crashes in Los Angeles in recent months, underscoring how quickly everyday settings can become sites of mass casualties. While vehicle ramming attacks have drawn national attention in recent years, officials stressed that this case does not fit that pattern and remains classified as a traffic collision.
For the families of those killed, the loss was sudden and devastating. Community members gathered outside the store in the hours after the crash, some leaving flowers and others simply standing in silence as investigators worked behind police tape.
City leaders expressed condolences and praised first responders for their rapid action, noting that quick intervention likely prevented even greater loss of life. Fire officials said crews worked swiftly to lift the vehicle and reach victims trapped underneath, a complex operation that required specialized equipment.
As Westwood residents and business owners grapple with the aftermath, questions linger about how such tragedies can be prevented — from roadway design and storefront protections to driver screening and emergency response planning. For now, authorities say their focus remains on completing a thorough investigation and supporting those affected.
The 99 Ranch Market location remained closed following the crash as crews assessed structural damage and cleared debris. No timeline has been announced for when it might reopen.
AP
