Grandmother killed, 5 injured after car jumps curb in North Hollywood

VALLEY GLEN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A grandmother was killed and five other people were injured after a car jumped a curb and crashed near a North Hollywood apartment building Saturday afternoon.

The four victims and another person, who suffered "lesser" injuries, were transported to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Three of the victims were the woman's granddaughters ages 7, 8 and 13, and the other was a male driver in his 50s, according to the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division.

The crash happened around 4 p.m. in the 12700 block of Vanowen Street. Authorities said the driver of a white BMW was trying to pass a silver Mustang in the center turn lane. The Mustang lost control, and struck a large pick-up truck.

That resulted in the BMW driver slamming into multiple other cars along the roadway before jumping the curb, hitting the grandmother and three girls on the sidewalk and crashing into a wrought iron fence.

The sedan stopped at the apartment building behind the fence. The girl's parents who were also on the sidewalk rushed to their side fearing the worst. Authorities said it appeared the victims saw the crash and the car headed straight for them.

Police said both male drivers were cooperating with the investigation and said street racing was not involved in the crash nor were drugs or alcohol. But detectives are investigating if speed may have been a factor.

It is unclear if the driver will face any criminal charges.