Beverly Grove, CA - Woman Killed and Four Injured After 91-Year-Old Tesla Driver Crashes Outside Trader Joe's

Beverly Grove, California (September 3, 2026) - A woman was killed and four other people were injured when a white Tesla crashed just outside a Trader Joe's parking lot, according to Los Angeles County officials.

The crash happened around 1:21 p.m. on September 3. Officials said the Tesla, driven by a 91-year-old, reportedly struck a security stand.

One woman died as a result of the collision, and four others were hurt. Paramedics were called to the scene to treat the victims.

Investigators believe the Tesla was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash. It remains unclear whether the driver attempted to brake.

Officials have not released the names of the woman who died or the injured, and have not said whether the driver was cited or arrested. A full investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Beverly Grove, California

Parking lots and store entrances put cars and people within a few feet of each other, and California law expects drivers to slow to the conditions there. Vehicle Code 22350 requires every driver to travel at a speed that is safe for the surroundings, and a crowded shopping center entrance is about as demanding as surroundings get.

Who may be responsible

• The driver, if investigators confirm excessive speed, pedal confusion, or a failure to brake
• The driver's auto insurer, which is the usual source of recovery for the injured and the family
• The property owner or its security contractor, if the layout, bollards, or the placement of the security stand left shoppers exposed to vehicles
• The vehicle manufacturer, only if the investigation finds a mechanical or software defect contributed, which no agency has stated here

What investigators and attorneys examine

• The Tesla's event data recorder, which records speed, throttle, and brake input in the seconds before impact
• Whether any driver-assistance feature was engaged
• The driver's medical history and license status, since California requires in-person renewal and vision testing after age 70
• Store and parking lot camera footage, and any prior incidents at the same entrance

What the family and the injured can claim

Wrongful death damages cover funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of the woman's companionship. The four injured people have separate claims for medical treatment, lost income, and pain. None of this waits on a criminal charge, and a driver's age is not a legal defense.

The deadline

Wrongful death and injury claims in California must be filed within two years (CCP 377.60 and CCP 335.1). For this crash, that is September 3, 2028. Evidence such as the vehicle's data and store footage is often gone long before that, so the practical deadline is much sooner.

Contact Our Southern California Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

A woman went to a neighborhood store on a weekday afternoon and did not come home, and four other people are recovering from injuries they never saw coming. Grief and anger sit side by side after a crash like this, and both are reasonable.

Our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys handle cases where a driver's speed or loss of control reached people on foot, and our wrongful death lawyers in Southern California have recovered a $5 million wrongful death settlement for a grieving family. These cases turn on data and footage, not on what the driver says happened.

The Tesla's onboard data and the store's security video are the two pieces of evidence that settle speed and braking, and both can be overwritten or released back to their owners within days.

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Speak With an Attorney About the Beverly Grove Crash at (866) 836-6588

Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.