Ihor Demianenko, 61, was arrested after a suspected DUI crash killed three women near the North Hollywood Metro station in Los Angeles on November 10, 2026. The white Toyota Sienna he was driving struck pedestrians and street vendors along Lankershim Boulevard shortly before 6 p.m., during the evening rush hour. Two other women were critically injured. Police booked Demianenko on three counts of murder and suspected driving under the influence, with bail set at approximately $6.03 million.
What Happened in North Hollywood?
The collision occurred near the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard, outside the North Hollywood Metro station.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Demianenko was driving southbound in a white Toyota Sienna at an unsafe speed when the vehicle veered to the right, left the roadway, struck a traffic signal, and crashed into pedestrians and food vendors on the sidewalk.
The minivan eventually stopped beneath a street vendor's canopy. The impact scattered merchandise and debris across the sidewalk, leaving several people seriously injured.
Three women died at the scene, while two other women in their 50s were transported to hospitals in critical condition.
Who Is Ihor Demianenko?
Ihor Demianenko is a 61-year-old resident of Valley Village, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
He sustained minor injuries in the collision and was taken to a hospital before being arrested. Authorities said he was suspected of driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
According to NBC Los Angeles, his reported blood alcohol level was approximately twice California's legal limit of 0.08% for ordinary passenger vehicle drivers.
Demianenko was booked on three counts of murder and suspected felony DUI. His bail was set at approximately $6.03 million.
Who Were the Victims?
The three women killed were street vendors who regularly sold food near the North Hollywood Metro station. Their deaths devastated a neighborhood where they had become familiar faces to commuters and local residents.
Teodora Villalobos
Teodora Villalobos, 57, was a mother of three from El Salvador. She was known for selling food near the Metro station and helping people in her community, including individuals who could not afford to pay for a meal.
Maria Peck
Maria Peck, 73, was another victim of the collision. She was a mother of five who worked as a street vendor in the area. Her identity and age were subsequently confirmed through Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records.
Third Victim
The third woman had not been publicly identified in the news reports available at the time of publication.
Two additional women, both in their 50s, were critically injured and taken to nearby hospitals.
Community Remembers the Victims
Following the collision, residents gathered near the intersection to leave flowers, candles, and other memorial items.
Several people described the women as kind and generous vendors who had served the neighborhood for years. One local resident recalled receiving food from one of the women during a period when he was homeless and unable to afford a meal.
Their deaths have left a significant impact on the North Hollywood community, particularly among the people who regularly visited their food stands.
What Charges Does Demianenko Face?
Demianenko was booked on three counts of murder and suspected felony driving under the influence. The murder allegations are significant because California law allows prosecutors to pursue murder charges in certain fatal DUI cases involving implied malice.
Implied malice generally involves knowingly engaging in dangerous conduct while consciously disregarding the risk to human life. Intoxication alone does not automatically establish the legal requirements for murder.
The charges remain allegations, and Demianenko is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Conclusion
The November 10, 2026, North Hollywood crash killed three women who had become part of the local community through their work as street vendors. Ihor Demianenko, 61, was arrested on three murder counts and suspected DUI after his vehicle struck pedestrians near the Metro station.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the lives of the victims and the families and neighborhood they left behind.
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