Westwood grocery reopens after car crashed into building – NBC Los Angeles

A Westwood grocery store reopened Wednesday, less than a week after a driver crashed her car into the building, killing three people inside.

The deadly incident happened last Friday at the 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Boulevard near Rochester Avenue when a 92-year-old driver rammed her car into the bakery section of the store.

Three people, two workers at the grocery store and one shopper, were killed at the scene, while several others were injured.

The customer was identified as 28-year-old Zih Dao. The medical examiner said the two workers were 42-year-old Deris Renjo and 52-year-old Leonel Mateo.

Some employees at the business told NBC Los Angeles that they were still reeling from the shock.

“I didn’t really believe it,” said the victim’s colleague, who called himself Shark. “I know Deris was a really hard worker. She was a really pleasant person to talk to. I’m usually shy, so i don’t really speak to many people, but those people, I got really comfortable with them.”

Since the deadly crash, people have been stopping by to drop off signs, flowers and candles to pray and reflect on the tragedy.

“I heard what happened and came to pay my respects,” Giacomo Diora Carter, a UCLA student, said. “It’s going to be hard to move forward. But grief is just the unexpressed love that people can’t give.”

Representatives from the 99 Ranch Market said they coordinated with appropriate agencies and handling the reopening with sensitivity and care.

Police did not name the 92-year-old driver who crashed her silver car in the store. Investigators, who said the crash did not appear to be intentional, are looking into her medical and driving history, police said.