Quick Read
- Three people died and six were injured when a silver Mercedes sedan crashed into 99 Ranch Market in Westwood, Los Angeles.
- The crash occurred on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 12:11 p.m. PST at Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue.
- A 92-year-old female driver, who first struck a bicyclist, is cooperating with authorities and is being investigated for a possible medical emergency.
- Two men (30, 55) and a woman (42) died; four others were hospitalized (two critical, two minor injuries).
- The 99 Ranch Market is closed indefinitely, and the incident has prompted renewed calls for improved road safety in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Three people are dead and six others injured after a silver Mercedes sedan crashed into a 99 Ranch Market grocery store in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:11 p.m. PST at Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue, has prompted a full investigation into what caused the 92-year-old driver to lose control of her vehicle.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that two men, ages 30 and 55, and a 42-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene. Four additional individuals were hospitalized: two 35-year-old men are in critical condition, while two other men, aged 37 and 38, sustained minor injuries. Both the driver and a bicyclist, who was struck moments before the car entered the store, declined medical transport, bringing the total injured count to six, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Westwood Crash Details and Casualties
Authorities do not believe the crash was intentional, investigating it as an “accidental traffic collision,” according to LAFD Captain Erik Scott. Preliminary reports suggest the driver, identified as a 92-year-old woman, may have suffered a medical emergency, leading to the loss of control. She is cooperating with investigators and is undergoing a medical evaluation, Fire Department spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz told The Associated Press.
The sequence of events began when the Mercedes sedan first struck a bicyclist crossing Wellworth Avenue and Westwood Boulevard. The vehicle then continued for about a block before careening into the 99 Ranch Market, trapping multiple people beneath it. Bystanders, like 28-year-old Nick Derobbio, who witnessed the crash, described seeing an unresponsive man being pulled from the building in the immediate aftermath. Kien Tran, owner of KT Salon across the street, recounted hearing a loud noise, seeing smoke, and running over with a fire extinguisher amidst what he called “total chaos.”
Investigation and Community Response to the Market Crash
The Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety quickly responded to the scene. While the building sustained damage, primarily to windows, inspectors determined there was no ongoing structural instability. However, 99 Ranch Market announced that the store would remain closed for the immediate future, stating, “We are heartbroken by this situation.”
The crash significantly impacted local traffic, with two blocks of Westwood Boulevard and the intersecting Rochester Avenue being completely blocked off for several hours. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation redirected southbound vehicles as emergency crews worked. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences, stating her heart was ‘with the victims, their families, and all who were impacted by the deadly crash,’ and deployed a crisis-response team to offer support. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the Westwood neighborhood, also issued a statement of sympathy and confirmed her team was monitoring the situation closely.
Broader Context of Road Safety in Los Angeles
The incident has reignited discussions around road safety in Los Angeles, particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists. Jonathan Hale, founder of People’s Vision Zero, a group advocating for safer streets, emphasized the need for improvements. The LA Department of Transportation itself has plans for enhancing safety on Westwood Boulevard between Le Conte Avenue and Exposition Boulevard, according to its website.
The tragic event at 99 Ranch Market underscores the vulnerability of public spaces to unforeseen vehicular incidents and highlights the ongoing challenge for urban planners and city officials to balance traffic flow with pedestrian safety, especially in bustling commercial areas like Westwood.