A 79-year-old woman from Agoura Hills was killed Monday after a white Tesla lost control in a Simi Valley shopping center parking lot and struck her as she walked along a sidewalk outside a popular restaurant.
The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. outside Urbane Cafe, located at a Target shopping center near Tierra Rejada Road and Madera Road.
According to Simi Valley police, the Tesla was traveling northbound through the parking lot when the driver attempted to make a right turn eastbound toward Madera Road.
The vehicle failed to complete the turn, jumped the curb, and struck the elderly woman. The car then plowed through planters before coming to rest in the middle of the restaurant’s outdoor dining area, scattering chairs, tables, and shattered glass across the sidewalk.
When firefighters from the Ventura County Fire Department arrived, they found the victim trapped beneath the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four other people were treated for minor injuries. Authorities noted the Tesla narrowly missed two customers who had stood up to leave just moments before the crash.
Driver and Passengers Taken to Hospital
The Tesla driver, a 64-year-old woman from Thousand Oaks, had four juvenile passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
She was transported to Los Robles Hospital after complaining of a wrist injury, and one of the juveniles was also taken to a hospital for minor injuries. The remaining three juveniles were released to family members at the scene.
Police confirmed the driver did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Simi Valley Police Sgt. Rick Morton told reporters the crash did not appear to be intentional, though investigators have not yet determined whether mechanical failure or driver impairment played a role.
Witnesses at the shopping center watched in shock as first responders worked the scene.
Simi Valley resident Dana Aghassi, who was nearby when the crash occurred, expressed grief over the tragedy. She said the victim was simply going about her Monday afternoon when her life was taken without warning.
A bouquet of flowers was left outside Urbane Cafe in the hours following the fatal crash as the community began to mourn.
The Simi Valley Police Department has identified the victim only by age and city of residence, stating her name has not been publicly released at this time. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact Simi Valley Police Officer Daniel Muoio at 805-583-6291 or by email at dmuoio@simivalley.org.
