Disney employee killed by drug-impaired driver near studio

A car hit and killed a Disney employee who was walking in a marked crosswalk near Disney’s studio lot in Burbank on Thursday morning, police said.

The fatal crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Lincoln Street. Burbank police detained the two men in the vehicle and conducted a DUI investigation which revealed that alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both were a factor in the accident.

The car careened into three other vehicles after striking the Disney employee, identified by police as 54-year-old Michelle Landes. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. No other serious injuries were reported.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Stergios Economos, a 37-year-old man from Burbank. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and is currently being held at the Burbank City Jail on $100,000 bail. He is due to appear in court next Monday.

CEO Bob Iger said in an email to company employees “we’re all heartbroken by the loss.” Disney execs also reached out to her family to offer their support and deepest condolences.

Iger said in his email that other studio employees witnessed the fatal collision and “are understandably very shaken by the experience.”

The crosswalk is outside of the Alameda gate of the Disney lot.