Two killed in alleged DUI crash in North Hollywood

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Two pedestrians were killed early Sunday morning in North Hollywood after a driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol and traveling at unsafe speeds, struck them and then crashed into multiple parked cars, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victims, a man in his 30s who died at the scene and a woman in her 50s who later died at a hospital, have not been identified. The suspect, Vidal Cruz Jr. of Pacoima, was arrested and booked on two counts of murder with bail set at $4 million.

Why it matters

Alcohol-related crashes continue to be a major public safety issue in Los Angeles, with pedestrians often bearing the brunt of these tragic incidents. This case highlights the need for increased enforcement, education, and support for those struggling with substance abuse to prevent such devastating losses of life.

The details

According to police, around 2:25 a.m. two people exited a car stopped along Colfax Avenue in North Hollywood, while three others remained inside. The suspect, later identified as Vidal Cruz Jr., then struck the car and the two individuals who had just exited, before careening into a private driveway and hitting multiple vacant parked cars. The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced one victim dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital and later died of her injuries.

• The incident occurred around 2:25 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
• Vidal Cruz Jr. was later arrested and booked at Van Nuys Jail.

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Vidal Cruz Jr. at his upcoming court hearing.