Police: Woman May Have Been Intoxicated When She Ran SUV into Doughnut Shop

A woman was being investigated today for possibly being under the influence of alcohol or drugs when she drove an SUV through a Canoga Park doughnut shop, killing a man and injuring four other people.

The crash occurred just after 9:30 p.m. at Jolly Donuts in the 8300 Block of DeSoto Ave., authorities said.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene, said Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Four people, including the driver of the SUV, were transported to a hospital, he said.

One of the injured parties remained in critical condition today, two were in serious condition and another was released from the hospital, said Sgt. William Kelly of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division.

The deceased man - who appeared to be in his 40s -- and all of the surviving victims -- a woman and three men ranging in age from the 20s through the 40s -- were inside the shop when they were struck, according to Kelly.

The driver, 42-year-old Kristen Chang of Los Angeles, was at the northwest corner of Roscoe Boulevard and DeSoto Avenue when she lost control of the silver 2002 Jeep Liberty, driving it through the doughnut shop and out the other side, Kelly said.

Surveillance video showed the SUV sending a glass case of doughnuts flying.

The shop owner told ABC7 that the deceased victim was a homeless man who was a regular at the shop.

He did not know when he would be able to reopen his business.

--City News Service

PHOTO Credit: Greg Doyle for Patch.

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