Minivan Crashes Into Pedestrians Outside Los Angeles Metro Station, Killing Three and Critically Injuring Others During Evening Rush Hour Tuesday

LOS ANGELES, CA — A minivan struck people outside a Los Angeles metro station during the evening rush Tuesday, killing three people and critically injuring the driver and at least two others, authorities said. The crash happened just before 6 p.m. at a busy intersection in North Hollywood, where the vehicle ended up under a food vendor’s tent after hitting pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Police said the driver, a man in his 60s, was removed from the van and could speak, though he appeared to be in shock. Investigators had not yet determined what caused the crash. Los Angeles Police Capt. Warner Castillo said officials did not know whether it was intentional or accidental, and detectives were preparing to examine video of the collision frame by frame.

Police say the cause remains unclear after chaotic scene at busy intersection

The crash left the minivan surrounded by debris on the sidewalk with its driver’s side door open and an air bag deployed. Fire engines and emergency crews responded quickly, and a helicopter was seen overhead as responders worked in the area.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the investigation would be detailed and likely take time. He said officers planned to review security footage closely to determine exactly what happened. For now, police have released only limited information about the driver and the circumstances leading up to the impact.

Castillo also said investigators could not immediately tell whether the collision was caused by a deliberate act or a mistake. That uncertainty shaped the response at the scene, where officials focused first on victims and then on piecing together the sequence of events.

Witness describes injured victims after loud boom near burger stand

People in the area said the scene turned violent in an instant. Luis Luna-Guzman, who was working at a burger stand nearby, said he heard a loud boom and then saw people on the ground with food and cups scattered around them. He said bystanders began running toward the crash site almost immediately.

As he moved closer, Luna-Guzman found an injured woman near the bike racks. He said she was bleeding from her face, arms and legs and had her eyes closed while moaning in pain. He told her not to move and said help was on the way.

He also said he saw a woman’s body nearby and another woman lying unmoving on the stairs leading to the station. His account matched the confusion and urgency described by responders at the scene.

Victims included street vendors and pedestrians, Mayor Karen Bass says

Mayor Karen Bass said the dead and injured included street vendors and pedestrians, underscoring how crowded the area was at the time of the crash. In a post on X, she said she was heartbroken for the families affected by the tragedy.

The collision struck a location known for heavy foot traffic and constant activity, according to Los Angeles City Council member Adrin Nazarian, whose district includes North Hollywood. He said the neighborhood is a close-knit community where people are always moving through the area.

Nazarian called the crash especially alarming because of how active the intersection normally is. His comments reflected the shock felt in a place where street vendors, commuters and passersby are usually part of the daily rhythm.

Metro service continued as one entrance stayed closed Thursday night

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the transit system was mostly able to keep operating after the crash. Spokesperson Jose Ubaldo said one entrance to the metro remained closed Tuesday night, but the station property itself was not otherwise affected.

Ubaldo said bus and subway stations remained open, limiting the disruption for commuters despite the emergency response outside the station. The crash took place at a location tied to both local transit and street-level commerce, which added to the impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Even as service continued, the scene stayed active for investigators and emergency crews. The focus remained on the victims, the condition of the injured and the questions still unanswered about how the minivan came to mount the sidewalk.

Investigators continue to examine video and evidence from the crash scene

Authorities said the investigation will depend heavily on video and physical evidence from the intersection. McDonnell said detectives would study footage carefully and that the case would be a deliberate one, given the need to establish the sequence of events before any conclusions could be drawn.

Police have not publicly identified the driver. They have also not said whether any charges are expected or whether any medical emergency, mechanical problem or other factor may have played a role.

For now, the central facts remain the same: a minivan hit pedestrians outside a busy Los Angeles metro station, three people were killed and several others were left critically hurt, and investigators are still working to understand why it happened.