LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The shattered glass has been swept away and the storefront boarded up, but the shattered hearts of the Westwood community remain raw this weekend. On Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officially released the identities of the three individuals whose lives were abruptly and violently taken when a vehicle plowed into a busy grocery store on Thursday.

The victims—a young customer with a bright future and two dedicated employees who were pillars of their families—have been identified as 28-year-old Zih Dao, 52-year-old Leonel Mateo, and 42-year-old Deris Renoj.

The tragedy, which occurred at the popular 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Boulevard, has cast a pall over the neighborhood, prompting an outpouring of grief from students at nearby UCLA, local residents, and the immigrant communities that form the backbone of the city’s workforce. As flowers pile up against the plywood barricades, the focus shifts from the shock of the accident to the profound loss of three distinct and cherished lives.

The Incident: A Thursday Afternoon Nightmare

The catastrophe unfolded on what began as a routine Thursday afternoon in Westwood. Shoppers were browsing the aisles, employees were restocking shelves, and the bakery section was filled with the scent of fresh bread. At approximately Thursday, February 5, 2026, chaos erupted when a white sedan, driven by a 92-year-old motorist, accelerated through the front entrance of the market.

Witnesses described a scene of immediate devastation. The vehicle did not stop at the curb; instead, it crashed through the glass doors and continued deep into the store, striking patrons and workers in the bakery area. The sudden violence of the crash left no time for reaction. When the dust settled, three people lay dead, and the community was left grappling with a senseless loss of life.

The Victims: Lives Cut Short

The release of the names on Friday transformed the abstract horror of the news into a personal tragedy for three families.

Zih Dao, 28: The Customer

Among the victims was Zih Dao, a 28-year-old customer who had simply stopped by the market to shop.

• A Future Stolen: At 28, Dao was in the prime of his life. Whether he was a student, a young professional, or a resident of the vibrant Westwood area, his presence in the bakery section was a mundane act that ended in tragedy.

• Community Grief: His death has resonated deeply with the younger demographic of the neighborhood, particularly the student body at UCLA. For many, seeing a peer listed among the victims is a chilling reminder of the fragility of life. “He was just buying bread,” is a sentiment echoed online, highlighting the innocence of his final moments.

Leonel Mateo, 52: The Dedicated Father

Leonel Mateo was a familiar face to regular shoppers at the 99 Ranch Market. A 52-year-old immigrant from Mexico, Mateo was working to support his loved ones when he was killed.

• A Family Man: He leaves behind two children who must now navigate the world without their father. Family members describe him as the bedrock of their household—a man who worked hard, complained little, and loved deeply.

• “A Good Person”: His cousin, Rocio Alvarado, spoke to reporters through tears, struggling to comprehend the suddenness of his death. “This is a surprise,” she said, her voice trembling with the shock that accompanies unexpected grief. “He was a good person.” Her simple words paint a picture of a man who was kind, reliable, and fundamentally good—traits that make his absence all the more painful.

Deris Renoj, 42: The Compassionate Worker

The second employee killed was Deris Renoj, a 42-year-old immigrant from Guatemala. Like Mateo, Renoj came to this country to build a life through honest, hard work.

• Hardworking and Compassionate: Friends and family describe Renoj as a man with a gentle spirit. He was known for his compassion, often going out of his way to help colleagues or greet customers with a smile.

• A Void in the Family: His passing has left a gaping hole in his family network. Leonard Lopez, a relative, was among those who visited the makeshift memorial outside the store. Placing a candle on the pavement, Lopez spoke of the deep empathy he felt not just for his own loss, but for the other families involved. “Three people lost their lives,” Lopez said, his voice heavy with emotion. “I feel deep empathy. That’s why I came—to honor them.”

Community Reaction: A Neighborhood in Mourning

In the hours and days following the crash, the sidewalk outside the 99 Ranch Market has transformed into a sacred space. The Memorial: The boarded-up entrance, usually a symbol of closure, has become a canvas for grief.

• Flowers and Candles: Bouquets of white lilies, red roses, and bright sunflowers have been stacked high against the wall. Dozens of religious candles flicker in the evening breeze, illuminating handwritten notes taped to the plywood.

• Messages of Love: Messages written in English, Spanish, and Mandarin cover the boards, reflecting the diverse community that Westwood represents. “Rest in Peace,” “Estamos con ustedes” (We are with you), and prayers for the families are common themes.

Voices of the Community: The tragedy has drawn people from all walks of life to pay their respects.

• UCLA Students: Giacomo Diora Carter, a student at the nearby university, felt compelled to visit the site after hearing the news. “It’s going to be hard to move forward,” Carter observed, looking at the growing pile of tributes. He offered a poignant reflection on the nature of mourning: “Grief is the love people still want to give.”

• Faith and Unity: For many, faith has been the only refuge. “All we can do is pray,” Leonard Lopez added. “That’s it.” In the face of such senseless tragedy, the community is leaning on shared spirituality and the simple act of being together.

The Investigation: Questions Remain

While the community mourns, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is conducting a rigorous investigation into the cause of the crash. The Driver: Authorities have not publicly released the name of the driver, identifying them only as a 92-year-old.

• Medical Review: Investigators are currently reviewing the driver’s medical history to determine if a health episode played a role in the crash.

• Driving History: The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records are being scrutinized to see if there were prior indications of unsafe driving.

• The Vehicle: Mechanical inspections of the white sedan are underway to rule out vehicle malfunction.

Safety Conversations: The age of the driver has sparked difficult conversations about elderly driving safety and the need for stricter re-evaluation of older motorists. Additionally, questions are being raised about infrastructure safety—specifically, whether bollards or barriers should be mandatory in front of storefronts to prevent such incursions.

Conclusion: Honoring the Lost

As the sun sets over Westwood this weekend, three families are preparing for funerals they never expected to plan. Zih Dao, the young customer with a life of promise ahead of him. Leonel Mateo, the father from Mexico who worked to give his children a better life. Deris Renoj, the compassionate soul from Guatemala who brightened the days of those around him.

They were strangers in life, but in death, they are united in the memory of a community that refuses to forget them. The boarded-up doors of the 99 Ranch Market will eventually reopen, but the lives lost there will not return. It is now the duty of the living—the neighbors, the students, the relatives—to carry their stories forward.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Dao, Mateo, and Renoj families.

Rest in Peace.

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Summary of Victims:

• Zih Dao: 28, Customer.

• Leonel Mateo: 52, Employee (99 Ranch Market), from Mexico, father of two.

• Deris Renoj: 42, Employee (99 Ranch Market), from Guatemala.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the LAPD West Traffic Division.