Police officers and fire department personnel responded to a crash where five people were struck by a vehicle driven by an elderly motorist. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles Police Department investigators are continuing the investigation into a crash that claimed the life of a 50-year-old woman and injured four other people on Sept. 3 in a parking lot outside a Trader Joe’s store at Fairfax Avenue and Third Street.

The collision occurred around 1:20 p.m. when an elderly female driver in a white Tesla sedan lost control of her vehicle and struck five pedestrians before smashing into a parking attendant booth. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with officers. The incident was initially considered an accident.

Detective D. Holmes, with the LAPD’s West Traffic Division, said on Sept. 9 that police are still conducting an investigation, but plan to submit the findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and recommend vehicular manslaughter charges against the driver, who he said is 91 years old. Holmes confirmed that alcohol or drugs were not a factor. However, the case rises to the level of vehicular manslaughter based on the driver’s careless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

“The charges are pending. We are still investigating and I am not certain when we will be ready to submit it to the D.A.’s office,” he added.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the deceased victim as Takako Yoshida, 50.

Holmes said an additional individual sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, while three other victims sustained minor injuries.

The specific cause of the crash has not been determined. Holmes said the driver lives in the Westwood area. She has not been arrested or booked pending the filing of charges, he added.

The collision prompted a large police and fire department response. Witnesses and residents attempted to help the victims before first responders arrived. Hayworth Avenue resident Andre Ungvari, who lives across the alley from the parking lot, said the loud crash was unsettling.

“Living here near Third I have heard a lot of crashes, but it was the loudest crash I’ve heard in the 15 years I’ve lived here,” Ungvari said. “I ran downstairs and tried to see if I could help but there was nothing you could do. There were a lot of people around and everybody was trying to help. Nobody knew what happened.”

Anyone with information about the collision is urged to call the LAPD’s West Traffic Division (213)473-0222.