One of three people killed when a 92-year-old woman crashed a Mercedes sedan into a Westwood supermarket was identified by county authorities Friday.
Deris Renjo, a 42-year-old woman, was identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office as one of the people who died in the crash, which also injured at least six others.
The deadly collision was reported at 12:11 p.m. Thursday at the 99 Ranch Market at 1350 S. Westwood Blvd., on the corner of Rochester Avenue.
According to the LAFD, the driver of a silver sedan, reported to be a 92-year-old woman, struck a bicyclist, then careened into the bakery of the glass-fronted supermarket, once a Borders bookstore.
Renjo and two others — a 55-year-old man and a 30-year-old man — were pronounced dead at the scene, according to LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz.
In a statement posted on social media, 99 Ranch Market officials said two of the people who died were employees at the store.
“We are heartbroken by this loss,” according to the market. “Our deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of our team members who lost their lives, as well as with the family of the customer who passed away. Our focus remains on supporting our employees and their families during this profoundly difficult time.”
LAPD Capt. Erik Scott confirmed that four others were taken to hospitals — two in critical condition and two in moderate condition.
The two people listed in critical condition were both 35-year-old men, while the two victims in moderate condition were identified as men aged 37 and 38. Two other people — identified as the sedan driver and the bicyclist — were evaluated at the scene but declined transport to a hospital.
“All three persons killed at this scene were confirmed to be inside the grocery store’s bakery at the time of the accident,” Lantz said in a statement.
According to police and fire officials, the southbound motorist struck a bicyclist about a block away from the store then swerved onto the sidewalk and through the glass windows of the market, coming to a stop in the bakery area with multiple people trapped beneath the silver sedan inside the market.
A triage operation was set up by LAFD personnel outside the market, an Asian foods store. The massive rescue response closed a stretch of Westwood Boulevard on Thursday, which was completely blocked by emergency vehicles.
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety yellow-tagged the building due to the damage sustained, but inspectors determined there was no structural instability, Lantz said.
The driver was interviewed by investigators at the scene, but so far no arrest or citation has been announced.
Authorities described the crash as a tragic accident, saying it did not appear to be an intentional act.
Crews placed plywood over the exterior of the supermarket in the early morning hours on Friday.
A motorist’s dashcam video of the sedan speeding into the building was making the rounds on social media and news reports Friday.