Three women killed in North Hollywood minivan crash

A minivan crash near the North Hollywood Metro station killed three women and critically injured two others Tuesday evening. Police arrested the driver, 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko, on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The crash occurred at about 5:55 p.m. on North Lankershim Boulevard, near Chandler Boulevard. Police said Demianenko was driving a white Toyota Sienna south at an unsafe speed when it veered off the road, struck a traffic signal and hit pedestrians and food vendors on the sidewalk.

Demianenko was trapped in the vehicle and freed by emergency responders before being taken to a hospital for treatment. Police later described his injuries as minor and said he was arrested after receiving medical care. His bail was set at about $6 million, according to police and jail information. The reports did not establish when he would appear in court.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified two of the women killed as Teodora Villalobos, 57, and Maria Peck, 73. Both died from blunt force injuries, the medical examiner’s office said. The third woman’s identity had not been released as of Thursday,...