LOS ANGELES — County authorities have identified one of the three people killed when a vehicle crashed into a Westwood supermarket, turning a busy afternoon into a scene of devastation. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Friday that Deris Renjo, a 42-year-old woman, was among those who lost their lives inside the market during the deadly collision.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:11 p.m. Thursday at the 99 Ranch Market, located at 1350 S. Westwood Boulevard at the corner of Rochester Avenue. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, a silver sedan was traveling southbound when it first struck a bicyclist about a block away from the store. Moments later, the vehicle veered onto the sidewalk and smashed through the glass front of the supermarket.
Fire officials said the car continued moving inside the store before coming to a stop in the bakery section, where Renjo and two other victims — a 55-year-old man and a 30-year-old man — were pronounced dead at the scene. LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz confirmed that all three victims were inside the bakery area at the time of the crash. News reports later indicated that two of the victims were bakery employees, while the third was a customer.
In addition to the fatalities, at least six other people were injured. LAPD Capt. Erik Scott said four victims were transported to local hospitals, including two 35-year-old men listed in critical condition and two others, ages 37 and 38, who were treated for moderate injuries. The driver of the sedan and the bicyclist who was struck earlier were both evaluated at the scene but declined to be taken to a hospital.
Emergency crews launched a large-scale rescue operation, setting up a triage area outside the Asian grocery store as firefighters worked to free victims trapped beneath the vehicle. Westwood Boulevard was shut down for hours as first responders filled the area with emergency vehicles. Video from the scene showed significant damage to the building, with crews working overnight to repair the shattered exterior.
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety later yellow-tagged the building due to the damage but determined it was structurally stable. Authorities said the driver, described only as an elderly woman, was interviewed at the scene. Investigators emphasized that the incident appears to be a tragic accident, not an intentional act, as the investigation continues.
