A North Hollywood community grieved Wednesday for three street vendors who were killed in a suspected DUI crash near a Metro station Tuesday evening, with countless people bringing flowers and candles to the corner where the women sold food and drinks every day.
The three women were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after a suspected drunk driver, identified as Ihor Demianenko, plowed his white vehicle into the victims and other pedestrians at the busy intersection of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards.
Two of the deceased street vendors were identified as 57-year-old Teodora Villalobos, a mother of three from El Salvador, and 74-year-old Maria Peck, a mother of five. The third woman’s identity had not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
Nearly everyone NBC Los Angeles spoke with near the crash site said they were devastated, describing the women as “sweet” and “friendly” and recalling how they often shared free food with those who couldn’t afford it.
Villalobos, a single mother, sold food at that intersection for 20 years, according to her two daughters, Karen and Asusena Melissa.
“We see the love, the support from everybody,” Karen said “She was loved. She was loved here.”
The daughters say Villalobos “made the best food” and often helped the homeless in the area.
“If she saw that you were in need, she helped,” Karen said. “If you will tell her you were hungry, she will feed you.” She didn’t care. She didn’t care about materialism. She was the kind of person that she would give whatever she had.”
LaDuke Warwick was among those who told NBCLA that Villalobos gave him a hot dog when he didn’t have any money.
“This lady took me off the streets homeless and fed me,” Warwick said. “She said, ‘Come here and eat.’ I said, ‘Ma’am, you don’t know me from nowhere, why are you feeding me?’ She said, ‘Because you’re hungry.'”
Warwick recalled the heartwarming moments he shared with the victims and described them as “three angels.”
“How I’ll remember them are beautiful souls who uplifted a moment of my life, my soul, my spirit, uplifted,” he said.
Police say the DUI crash suspect, 61-year-old Ihor Demianenko, blew twice the legal limit. Charisse Gibson and Alex Rozier report for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.
Other neighbors, like Jeff Wilson, were still in disbelief following the deadly crash.
“(I feel) nothing but pain. These ladies are so sweet,” Wilson said.
“And they have always been kind, and over the years and over the months, we got to know each other because we patronized them,” George Straughter said alongside his wife, FranShelia.
The community’s grief was also accompanied by frustration, with some residents believing the crash could have been prevented.
“If he took the three ladies’ lives, I believe he should get the maximum punishment for all that,” Warwick said.
Villalobos’ daughters are seeking justice for their mother and for the two other women killed.
“Things like this could be avoided, and we would not be grieving her if someone would be conscious of what they’re doing, their actions are,” Karen said. “I know that’s not going to bring her back, but it will give us a peace of mind knowing that whoever did it is paying for it.”
Xoelt Sandoval, a Metro rider who frequently saw the victims, also said he hoped justice would be served for the women.
“I just hope the law dishes out what it should,” Sandoval said. “These innocent people, they didn’t deserve what happened to them.”
NBC Los Angeles visited the suspect’s Valley Village apartment. A woman who identified herself as his wife through the apartment’s intercom hung up after learning that NBCLA wanted to speak with her.
Demianenko, who police said had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, was booked on three counts of murder, and his bail was set at $6 million.
LAPD investigators are reviewing footage from intersection cameras to piece together what happened, police said.
LA City Coucilmember Adrin Nazarian whose district includes North Hollywood announced his office is teaming up with ICON CDC to raise money for the three women’s families and street vendor community.
“No donation can undo this tragedy, but we can help ensure these families do not face the financial burden alone,” Nazarian said, adding donations will provide “direct relief.”
Meanwhile, Villalobos’ daughters say their mother’s life will now be their inspiration.
“She’s in peace now and that I won’t have to worry about her anymore and just being able to use her as my motivation to succeed in life,” Asusena Melissa said.
Two other women were injured in Tuesday’s crash. Police say they remain in the hospital in critical condition.