Officials confirmed that all three fatalities occurred inside the grocery store. The victims were identified as a 55-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, and a 42-year-old woman. Their names have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
Paramedics transported four additional patients to nearby medical centers. Two men, both 35, were admitted in critical condition. Two others, ages 38 and 37, were listed in fair condition with non-life-threatening injuries. The bicyclist sustained minor abrasions and declined further medical treatment at the scene. The driver also refused transport and remained at the location to cooperate with investigators.
LAPD Captain Anthony Espinoza said early findings point to an accidental crash. No evidence of impaired driving was noted during preliminary assessments, and officers did not observe immediate signs of mechanical failure. Toxicology screenings, a routine procedure in fatal traffic incidents, were ordered to verify the absence of alcohol or drug involvement.
Surveillance footage collected from nearby businesses as well as camera systems inside the market is being reviewed to determine the sequence of events. Detectives will also examine the Prius for potential brake or accelerator issues. While inadvertent accelerator depression can occur in older drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends regular vehicle maintenance and driver refresher courses to mitigate such risks.
Fire officials said the structural integrity of the building was not compromised, although the entrance and bakery area sustained extensive damage. City building inspectors were dispatched to evaluate whether the store could resume limited operations once debris is cleared.
Los Angeles routinely records a high volume of traffic collisions, but incidents involving vehicles breaching storefronts remain relatively uncommon. According to LAFD data, first responders handled fewer than 25 similar calls citywide in 2025. Thursday’s event marks the first multiple-fatality building-impact crash reported in Los Angeles this year.
Imagem: Internet
In keeping with standard protocol for fatal traffic events, LAPD’s specialized Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team will reconstruct the accident. The process includes mapping skid marks, measuring vehicle trajectory, and interviewing witnesses. Findings will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges are warranted.
The crash closed portions of Santa Monica Boulevard for more than four hours, causing significant congestion during the evening commute. Metro bus routes were temporarily detoured, and traffic officers directed motorists away from the area while investigators worked on scene.
Store management is cooperating with authorities and has offered counseling services to employees who were on duty during the incident. A spokesperson for 99 Ranch Market issued a brief statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and gratitude to first responders.
Thursday’s tragedy has renewed calls from local traffic-safety advocates for additional protective measures such as reinforced bollards and wider pedestrian buffers in front of retail establishments. City officials have not announced any immediate policy changes, but the Department of Transportation indicated it would review the circumstances once the collision investigation is complete.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant dash-camera footage is urged to contact LAPD’s West Traffic Division. The department emphasized that public assistance can be critical in clarifying the exact cause of complex collisions.
Crédito da imagem: Damian Dovarganes/AP
