Three female victims were hospitalized in critical condition last Saturday after one of the victims lost control of a catering truck she was driving and struck a light pole and a tree on a street in the Hollywood Hills.

The collision occurred at approximately 12:21 p.m. in the 1100 block of Doheny Drive, located just north of the Sunset Strip. All three women who were injured were traveling in the truck.

The collision is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division, which has jurisdiction in the Hollywood Hills. An auditor from the West Traffic Division who identified himself as M. Norling processed the initial police reports, and said it appears the catering truck’s brakes failed, causing the collision. Investigators will determine whether any charges will be fired against the truck’s owner. Norling said the investigation is ongoing and said he could not identify the owner.

The victims suffered broken bones in the collision and are expected to survive. No other injuries were reported.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said a beehive was located in the tree that was struck, and authorities also had to fight off the bees to rescue the women. A deputy from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station who responded to the scene was stung by a bee and suffered a minor allergic reaction, but declined to be hospitalized, Stewart said.

Authorities with the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District were called to the scene to remove the beehive, Norling added.

“Witnesses tried to help, but there were so many bees,” he said. “A fire extinguisher was used to suppress them.”

Norling said the incident appears to be an accident, and there is no evidence of alcohol or drug use. He said he did not know where the truck was headed when the collision occurred.

Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact investigators with the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at (213)473-0234.