An automotive vehicle door lock apparatus consists of a latch mechanism having a latch for latching a door by latching a striker secured to a vehicle body upon closing the door, a door release or unlatch mechanism for unlatching the door by releasing the striker from the latch and a lock mechanism for locking the door by operationally disabling the unlatching mechanism. The unlatching mechanism is in cooperation with a disconnecting mechanism having an extension arm which extends laterally toward the outer door panel. Upon a lateral car crash, the extension arm is pushed laterally inward by the crushed outer door panel to operate and operationally disable the unlatching mechanism independently of the unlatching mechanism.