Los Angeles officials on Friday identified the three people who lost their lives after a car crashed into a grocery store in the Westwood neighborhood on Thursday, a tragedy that has left families, coworkers, and the wider community grieving.
Authorities confirmed that two of the victims were employees at the 99 Ranch Market located at Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue. The third person killed was a customer who had been shopping in the bakery area when the incident occurred.
The customer was identified as 28-year-old Zih Dao, who was inside the store at the time of the crash. His death has added to the profound sense of loss felt by those connected to the popular neighborhood market.
One of the employees who died was Leonel Mateo, 52, originally from Mexico. According to family members, Mateo was a dedicated worker and a kind person who leaves behind two children. His cousin, Rocio Alvarado, described his death as shocking and deeply painful.
“This is a surprise,” she said. “He was a good person.”
The second employee was identified as Deris Renoj, 42, an immigrant from Guatemala. Family members and loved ones described him as hardworking and compassionate. His passing has resonated strongly within both his family and the broader Westwood community.
In the hours following the incident, the grocery store was boarded up, but the space outside quickly became a place of remembrance. Community members stopped by to leave flowers, candles, and handwritten notes, offering prayers and quiet reflection.
Leonard Lopez, a relative of Renoj, shared his grief as he placed a candle outside the store. “Three people lost their lives,” he said. “I feel deep empathy. That’s why I came—to honor them.”
Students, neighbors, and shoppers also gathered to pay their respects. UCLA student Giacomo Diora Carter said he felt compelled to stop by after hearing the news.
“It’s going to be hard to move forward,” he said. “Grief is the love people still want to give.”
Many who visited said they were leaning on faith, unity, and community support as they process the tragedy. “All we can do is pray,” Lopez added. “That’s it.”
Police have not publicly identified the 92-year-old driver involved. Investigators said they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash, including medical and driving history, as part of an ongoing investigation.
As Westwood mourns, the focus remains on honoring the lives lost—remembering them not for how they died, but for who they were, and the impact they had on those around them.