3 dead, 6 hurt after 92-year-old driver hits bicyclist and crashes into Los Angeles grocery store

Three people were killed and six others injured when a 92-year-old driver crashed into a crowded grocery store in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The incident began shortly after noon when the elderly woman, driving a Toyota Prius, collided with a bicyclist before continuing for another block. She then lost control of her vehicle, swerved into the 99 Ranch Market, and plowed directly into the store’s bakery section, according to police and fire officials.

“This appears to be an unfortunate accident,” said Capt. Anthony Espinoza of the Los Angeles Police Department, who noted investigators do not believe the crash was intentional. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with authorities while undergoing medical evaluation.

The impact trapped several customers underneath the vehicle, resulting in three fatalities – two men, aged 30 and 55, and a 42-year-old woman. All three victims were inside the bakery at the time of the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Four other customers were injured and transported to local hospitals. Two men, both 35, were listed in critical condition, while two others, aged 37 and 38, were reported to be in fair condition. The bicyclist who was struck before the store crash and the elderly driver both declined medical transport.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz confirmed the driver’s age but did not release her identity. The circumstances that led to her losing control of the vehicle are still under investigation.

Television news footage from the scene showed the silver Prius completely inside the grocery store, its trunk open amid the wreckage. The vehicle came to rest next to a bright yellow sign advertising Korean street food and desserts in the popular Asian supermarket.

The 99 Ranch Market is part of a well-established Asian grocery chain with approximately two dozen locations throughout California. This particular store, situated about a mile from the University of California, Los Angeles campus, is a popular destination for both students and local residents.

The Westwood location serves as a cultural hub for the area’s significant Asian American community and typically draws substantial foot traffic, especially in its bakery section, which offers a variety of Asian baked goods and desserts.

Local resident Sean Divekar, 32, became emotional when learning about the fatalities. “I can’t tell you how many coffees I’ve gotten in that bakery,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about elderly drivers and vehicle safety in densely populated urban areas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers over 65 are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal crashes compared to middle-aged drivers, with risk increasing significantly after age 80.

California requires drivers 70 and older to renew their licenses in person and pass a vision test, but does not mandate road tests based solely on age.

The crash has sent shockwaves through the Westwood community, particularly among regular patrons of the market. Local officials are reviewing safety measures for the commercial district, which sees heavy pedestrian traffic due to its proximity to UCLA.

Police have not indicated whether charges will be filed against the driver. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this tragic accident.