2 Dead, At Least 2 Injured In North Hollywood Crash

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — Two people were killed in a crash triggered by a speeding motorist in North Hollywood who lost control of his vehicle, killing a pedestrian and one of the three occupants inside his car, authorities said Sunday.

The motorist was speeding southbound on Vineland Avenue near Oxnard Street in a gray 2005 Saturn ION at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed into northbound traffic, drove off the roadway and struck a pedestrian and parked vehicles, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, said Officer William Cooper of the LAPD's Media Relations Section. He was later identified as Edgar Kocharya, 36, of North Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Three people were freed from the vehicle and taken to trauma centers, and two others declined treatment after being evaluated at the scene.

A woman who was a passenger in the car was later pronounced dead at an area trauma center, Cooper said. Her name will be released pending notification of next of kin, according to the coroner's office.

The conditions of the other two passengers were not known and it was unclear whether the driver was cited or arrested, Cooper said.

LAPD Valley Traffic Division detectives urged anyone with information about the crash to call them at 818-644-8114.

—City News Service