99 Ranch Market in Westwood opens for first time since crash killed 3 in store

The supermarket in Westwood where three people were killed when a 92-year-old woman crashed a Mercedes into the front of the store reopened Wednesday morning for the first time since last week’s tragedy.

The deadly collision was reported at 12:11 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the 99 Ranch Market at 1360 Westwood Blvd., on the corner of Rochester Avenue.

The three victims were identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office as Zih Dao, 28; Deris Renjo, 42; and Leonel Mateo, 52.

Two of the victims were employees of the 99 Ranch Market, store officials said.

According to a statement issued by 99 Ranch Market and quoted by KTLA5, “the appropriate agencies” were consulted about the reopening.

The sedan struck a bicyclist, then careened into the bakery of the glass-fronted supermarket, once a Borders bookstore, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz added.

At least six other people were injured, including four who were transported to hospitals — two in critical condition and two in moderate condition, according to LAPD Capt. Erik Scott.

The driver and the bicyclist were evaluated at the scene but declined transport to a hospital, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety later yellow-tagged the building due to damage, though inspectors determined there was no structural instability, Lantz said.

The driver was interviewed at the scene, and no arrest or citation has been reported. Authorities described the crash as a tragic accident and said it did not appear to have been intentional.

The market reopened at 8 a.m. Wednesday with boards of plywood still covering part of the storefront.