You step into a story that happened because someone chose to help another person — a mother of five picked up a shift and never made it home. A sudden vehicle crash into a Westwood grocery killed her and two others, leaving family, coworkers, and the community reeling and asking how this could happen.
This piece will trace what unfolded that morning, examine the growing questions about the crash and the response, and show how the woman’s life and choices have shaped the grief around her. Follow the details about the incident, the people it affected, and the community’s efforts to remember her.
Details of the Tragic Crash
A 42-year-old mother of five died after a vehicle struck the storefront where she was working during a morning shift she had picked up. Two other people inside the store were also killed and several more were injured.
Timeline and Location of the Incident
The collision happened on Feb. 5 at the 99 Ranch Market in Westwood, Los Angeles. Video and reports show the sequence began when the driver first struck a bicyclist outside the store before accelerating into the building.
Employees were working inside when the vehicle smashed through the façade. Deris Renoj, who had taken a coworker’s shift that morning, was among those killed. Two other victims, identified in reports as Zih Dao and Leonel Mateo, also died at the scene.
Police described the event as a sudden crash rather than an intentional act. Investigators are checking whether a medical emergency or a mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control.
Circumstances Surrounding the Accident
Eyewitnesses reported that the driver, later identified as a 92-year-old woman according to news accounts, struck a cyclist just before entering the store. It remains unclear from official statements whether the driver suffered a medical episode or experienced vehicle malfunction.
Authorities said they would not file immediate criminal charges, pending further review. Investigators are examining the vehicle and nearby surveillance footage to establish speed, trajectory, and any pre-crash actions.
Family members and coworkers described Renoj as someone who “selflessly” covered a shift she wasn’t scheduled for, which placed her at the scene that morning. That detail has drawn attention because she had planned to be off that day.
Emergency Response and Immediate Aftermath
First responders arrived quickly and treated multiple injured people at the scene before transporting several to hospitals. Emergency personnel secured the storefront and coordinated with building inspectors to assess structural damage.
Police and investigators processed the scene through the day, collecting video evidence and interviewing witnesses. A GoFundMe set up by family members began raising funds for funeral and memorial expenses for Renoj and the other victims.
Officials continue to piece together exact causes and the timeline of events while families receive notifications and community members organize support. For more on reporting and identification of victims, see coverage from the California Post.
Remembering Deris Renoj and the Community Impact
Deris Renoj was a devoted mother and longtime employee whose sudden death has prompted immediate grieving and practical support from neighbors, coworkers, and local groups. The aftermath has focused on family needs, memorials at the market, and questions about how to prevent similar tragedies.
Life, Legacy, and Family of Deris Renoj
Deris Renoj, 42, lived in Los Angeles and raised five children. Coworkers describe her as reliable and hardworking; she had taken extra hours the day she died.
Family members say she balanced work and childcare, and her children range from young school age to teens. Her role as a primary caregiver means the family faces urgent financial and childcare challenges.
Friends have organized meal trains and short-term childcare while advocates discuss longer-term support. Her identity as a mother and employee shapes much of the community response and the practical needs being raised now.
Community Tributes and Support Efforts
A memorial has grown outside the 99 Ranch Market near Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue, with flowers, candles, and notes left by customers and neighbors. Local employees and patrons have held brief vigils at the site to honor those killed. (See coverage of the memorial at Westside Today.)
Coworkers and community groups quickly launched crowdfunding and donation drives to cover funeral expenses and immediate family needs. Churches and neighborhood organizations have coordinated volunteer shifts to help the family with childcare, paperwork, and meals.
The market’s staff and management are also coordinating with families of other victims to centralize information on donations and counseling. These actions aim to address both the emotional and financial fallout in a practical, immediate way.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Safety Concerns
Law enforcement continues to investigate a vehicle that drove into the market; authorities reported the driver was a 92-year-old woman who first struck a bicyclist before hitting the store. Officials are collecting dashcam footage and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the sequence of events. (NBC Los Angeles reported early investigative details.)
Public discussion has turned to pedestrian safety, parking-lot design, and protections for storefronts. City officials and traffic safety advocates are reviewing curb layouts, signage, and barrier options near busy sidewalks and market entrances.
Advocates are urging faster implementation of concrete bollards and clearer curb cuts in the Westwood commercial strip to reduce risk to pedestrians and employees. Community meetings are being planned to weigh safety measures and timelines.
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