3 Women Killed in North Hollywood Metro Station Pedestrian Accident

Minivan Jumps Sidewalk Barriers Outside the North Hollywood Metro Station, Killing Three Women Including Two Longtime Street Vendors

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (November 11, 2026) – Three women, including two longtime street vendors, were killed in a pedestrian accident outside the North Hollywood Metro Station.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the crash occurred around 5:55 p.m. on Tuesday. The women were on the sidewalk near Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, where vendors set up under a blue canopy to sell coffee, tamales, hot dogs, and pastries to evening commuters.

A white Sienna was traveling southbound at an unsafe speed when it reportedly hit a traffic signal before colliding with multiple pedestrians and street vendors. The force of the impact ultimately caused the minivan to jump over a protective barrier before coming to rest near a vendor’s tent.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims. Sadly, all three of the women hit by the vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver involved has since been arrested on suspicion of DUI. A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for North Hollywood Pedestrian Accidents

Under California Civil Code section 1714, everyone is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care, including behind the wheel. This necessitates that drivers maintain a safe speed and consistently scan the road ahead of them for pedestrians. If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating legal culpability for any car accident.

• Blood Tests: Blood tests can help determine whether or not a driver may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Event Data Recorders: Event data recorders inside of a vehicle can help determine the speed it was traveling prior to a collision.
• Prior Incidents: Any history of prior incidents at a specific location could reveal underlying safety defects.
• Barrier Design: The barrier design where the collision took place is also important to consider.

Depending on the unique facts of any claim, liability for a motor vehicle collision could extend beyond any specific driver determined to be at fault. Consider, for example, Bigbee v. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (1983). That case involved a man who was severely injured after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck him as he was standing inside of a phone booth. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the companies that owned the phone booth were responsible for placing it so close to the roadway. The California Supreme Court ultimately held that the question of liability was a matter for a jury to decide.

Protecting Pedestrians From Impaired Drivers

Impaired driving remains one of the deadliest threats on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired collisions in 2023 alone. This accounts for over 30% of all traffic fatalities that year. But what many drivers don’t realize is that a variety of substances besides alcohol can potentially compromise their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Several measures can be taken to help protect pedestrians from intoxicated drivers.

• Physical Barriers: Property owners and municipal entities can physically separate pedestrians from vehicles through bollard posts and other measures.
• Street Design: Cities can design narrower streets and automatic enforcement measures to reduce dangerous speeds.
• Sobriety Checkpoints: Police can set up sobriety checkpoints to help limit the number of intoxicated drivers in a given area.
• Traffic Enforcement: Law enforcement can heavily enforce speeding and other traffic violations likely to lead to pedestrian accidents.

Pedestrians have a naturally small profile and are more likely to be overlooked by other drivers. When you throw in drugs and alcohol, this can be an incredibly dangerous combination, especially at busy intersections. Unfortunately, negligent drivers and insurance providers are not likely to accept responsibility if a drunk driver kills someone. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party.

Investigating Pedestrian Accidents in North Hollywood

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the families of the three women killed outside the North Hollywood Metro Station. We hope the investigation brings full accountability and leads to stronger protections for people who work and wait along busy streets in North Hollywood. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.

Have you or a loved one been impacted by a drunk driver in North Hollywood? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to support you. We are committed to helping victims get the justice and support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.