Richard Pananian, 20, of Burbank, California was well-liked by his friends and family but the circumstances surrounding his car accident death on October 30 are anything but loveable.
While driving his Ford Fiesta at a high rate of speed on the 5 Freeway, Panaian was rear-ended by another vehicle and ejected from the car, fatally crashing into the highway sign.
The accident occurred just days after Pananian performed a lamb sacrifice to ensure his well-being at the Armenian Church.
Reports Los Angeles Times:
He was driving on southbound on the 5 Freeway just north of California 134 when his Ford Fiesta rear-ended a pickup truck and overturned, said Officer Edgar Figueroa, a California Highway Patrol spokesman. The CHP said Pananian was not wearing a seat belt.
He was ejected and landed on the Colorado Street freeway sign.
Shortly before the crash, the CHP received a call at 7 a.m. about the driver of a Ford Fiesta traveling recklessly.
Rescue crews used a ladder to the remove his body from the freeway sign.
Kardashian said he is overwhelmed with thoughts of his cousin’s life and the bizarre turn it took.
“Say we have to go, but not in that way,” Kardashian said. “It just became a spectacle.”
Pananian had always worn a seatbelt before Friday’s crash, his cousin said.
Now his family is trying to raise $50,000 for “unexpected financial burdens.”
GoFundMe pages have been set up by Pananian’s family and their co-workers described the 20-year-old as “one of the most friendly, giving, compassionate people you would ever meet.”
A couple of notes regarding Pananian’s demise:
–The incident occurred the Friday before Halloween and most drivers on social media admitted they thought it was a prank.
–The lamb sacrifice, or “matagh” is said to be used to show appreciation to God for saving a life.
–Pananian was headed to his new job which ironically (or probably not) was Glendale Collision Center.
–Pananian had previously installed a racing safety harness for his driver’s seat. Why it wasn’t being used is a mystery.
Flip through the gallery to see graphic photos of the incident. Reader discretion is advised.
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Photos: CBSLA2
