A quiet Saturday in Canoga Park turned chaotic when a white mini-SUV barreled into a neighborhood barbershop, injuring three people and mangling the storefront. The crash happened around 1:45 p.m. at Hair Etc. on the 7100 block of North Shoup Avenue.
What officials reported
Two men, ages 35 and 30, were rushed to the hospital in serious condition, and a 15-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries, according to CBS Los Angeles, which cited a Los Angeles Fire Department news release. Firefighters removed the white mini-SUV from inside the shop, and city building inspectors were called in to check whether the crash compromised the structure, the outlet reported.
Emergency crews and safety checks
Firefighters secured the scene, cleared debris from the shattered storefront, and worked to carefully extract the vehicle from the building. The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Valley Bureau oversees responses across the San Fernando Valley, including incidents like this one. After the flames and sirens are gone, the city’s Department of Building and Safety steps in to handle structural inspections and determine whether it is safe for businesses to reopen. Officials have released few details about the driver or what led up to the collision while investigators begin their review.
Why storefront crashes keep happening
Incidents in which vehicles strike businesses are far more common than many people realize. Industry trackers and safety groups have counted tens of thousands of vehicle-into-building crashes nationwide and regularly urge simple protective measures such as bollards, wheel stops, and safer parking layouts. ASIS International has highlighted both the frequency of these crashes and the relatively straightforward fixes experts recommend to protect customers and staff. Installing sturdy barriers and rethinking curbside parking are among the most commonly suggested steps.
Open questions
Authorities have not yet said what caused the crash, and no arrests or citations were immediately reported, CBS Los Angeles notes. In similar cases, investigators typically review surveillance video, vehicle data, and witness statements to piece together what happened. For now, the official cause remains under investigation, and the timetable for Hair Etc. to reopen will depend on the building department’s structural assessment.
