Tragedy Strikes in Los Angeles as Car Crashes into Supermarket, Leaving Multiple Dead and Injured. A devastating scene unfolded at a 99 Ranch Market in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon when a car crashed through the store's front doors, claiming the lives of at least three people and injuring six others.
According to authorities, the vehicle entered the supermarket around noon and became lodged inside, trapping victims and responders alike. Firefighters arrived at the scene and pronounced three individuals dead: two employees, aged 55 and 42, respectively, as well as a customer in his mid-30s. The store's management has announced that it will remain closed for the time being.
Six people were hospitalized after the crash, with two men in critical condition, aged 35. A further two men, 38 and 37 years old, were taken to hospital in relatively stable conditions. Witnesses described seeing a driver β later identified as a 70-year-old woman β emerge from the wreckage, which was determined to be an "accidental traffic collision."
Mayor Karen Bass extended her condolences to the victims' families and praised the first responders who acted swiftly to render aid. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the same driver had inadvertently struck a bicyclist just a block away from the scene before crashing into the store.
The supermarket, which has yet to comment on how the incident occurred, has assured employees and their loved ones of its support during this difficult time. As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the crash, officials are urging caution in approaching the supermarket, with the building determined to be structurally sound following an initial inspection.
According to authorities, the vehicle entered the supermarket around noon and became lodged inside, trapping victims and responders alike. Firefighters arrived at the scene and pronounced three individuals dead: two employees, aged 55 and 42, respectively, as well as a customer in his mid-30s. The store's management has announced that it will remain closed for the time being.
Six people were hospitalized after the crash, with two men in critical condition, aged 35. A further two men, 38 and 37 years old, were taken to hospital in relatively stable conditions. Witnesses described seeing a driver β later identified as a 70-year-old woman β emerge from the wreckage, which was determined to be an "accidental traffic collision."
Mayor Karen Bass extended her condolences to the victims' families and praised the first responders who acted swiftly to render aid. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the same driver had inadvertently struck a bicyclist just a block away from the scene before crashing into the store.
The supermarket, which has yet to comment on how the incident occurred, has assured employees and their loved ones of its support during this difficult time. As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the crash, officials are urging caution in approaching the supermarket, with the building determined to be structurally sound following an initial inspection.