LOS ANGELES — A tragic accident in the Westwood neighborhood left three people dead and multiple others injured after a car driven by an elderly woman crashed into the front of a busy grocery store frequented by UCLA students, fire officials confirmed Thursday.
The crash occurred around 12:10 p.m. at the 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Boulevard near Rochester Avenue. According to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz, two victims who were outside the store were pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by the vehicle. Several others were trapped underneath the car and had to be extricated by emergency responders.
Among those injured, three are in serious condition and two sustained minor injuries. All were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Contrary to some initial rumors suggesting the incident was deliberate, LAFD Captain Eric Scott emphasized that the preliminary investigation indicates the crash was accidental. The driver, a woman in her 70s, reportedly swerved to avoid hitting a bicyclist and lost control, causing her silver sedan to crash through the grocery store’s front entrance.
Law enforcement sources confirmed that drugs and alcohol were ruled out as contributing factors, and the incident is not being treated as intentional. The bicyclist was also hit, though their condition has not been disclosed.
Despite significant damage to the store’s front glass doors and facade, Captain Scott assured the building’s structural integrity remains intact.
Representatives from 99 Ranch Market expressed sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the victims’ families and assuring cooperation with authorities as the investigation proceeds.
Local officials, including Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, expressed sympathy for those affected and gratitude to first responders for their rapid action at the scene.
This devastating event highlights concerns about pedestrian and vehicular safety in busy urban areas, especially near university campuses where foot traffic is heavy. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
