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City News Service
August 13, 2004 Friday
Freeway Fatals
PASADENA
Four members of a Pasadena church, including an 8-year-old boy whose
foot was severed, were hospitalized early today from injuries
sustained in a solo freeway crash that killed three others,
authorities said. The Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church in Pasadena
held a prayer service last night for the injured and killed. "It is
difficult to face situations like this but through the years, as we
see the faithfulness of our Lord we prepare to ask, 'What now, Lord,'
rather than 'Why,"' said Zareh Astourian, who attended the church
service. Six women, the boy and a 1-year-old girl -- all Pasadena
residents -- were traveling in a red 2003 Ford Expedition on the
eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway near Madre Street at about 10:10
a.m. yesterday when it overturned, according to the California
Highway Patrol Officer John Samson. The Expedition, driven by a
45-year-old woman, apparently drifted to the right, then abruptly
veered left to avoid a collision. The driver then lost control of the
SUV, which crashed into the center divider, Samson said. The
Expedition overturned, throwing the boy onto nearby railroad tracks,
where an approaching Gold Line train amputated his right foot. He
also suffered head injuries, Samson said. The boy was hospitalized at
County-USC Medical Center in extremely critical condition, according
to the Pasadena Star-News. Three women were killed in the crash. Two
who were thrown from the Expedition were declared dead at the scene,
said Lisa Derderian of the Pasadena Fire Department. Another suffered
cardiac arrest and later died at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Samson
said. They were identified as Lena Khodaverdian, 41, Alice
Basmadijian, 82, and Hrepsimi Hadadjian, 77, according to the Los
Angeles County Coroner's Office. A 70-year-old woman suffered a
broken leg and sustained major head and chest injuries. She was
hospitalized at Huntington Memorial Hospital in critical condition
last night, according to the CHP. A 77-year-old woman who suffered
cuts and scrapes was taken to County-USC Medical Center, Samson said.
The driver, a 45-year-old woman, who sustained minor injuries, was
taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP. A
1-year-old girl escaped with no injuries, Samson said. The driver and
the baby were the only ones wearing seat belts, according to the CHP.
An official at the scene told KCAL9 that the train, with 10
passengers aboard, was coming around a curve when the conductor saw
something on the track and tried unsuccessfully to stop. Two train
passengers reportedly suffered minor injuries. "We have some fire
department personnel on scene that have said this is one of the most
horrific accidents they've ever seen in their long careers with the
fire department," Derderian said.
August 13, 2004 Friday
Freeway Fatals
PASADENA
Four members of a Pasadena church, including an 8-year-old boy whose
foot was severed, were hospitalized early today from injuries
sustained in a solo freeway crash that killed three others,
authorities said. The Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church in Pasadena
held a prayer service last night for the injured and killed. "It is
difficult to face situations like this but through the years, as we
see the faithfulness of our Lord we prepare to ask, 'What now, Lord,'
rather than 'Why,"' said Zareh Astourian, who attended the church
service. Six women, the boy and a 1-year-old girl -- all Pasadena
residents -- were traveling in a red 2003 Ford Expedition on the
eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway near Madre Street at about 10:10
a.m. yesterday when it overturned, according to the California
Highway Patrol Officer John Samson. The Expedition, driven by a
45-year-old woman, apparently drifted to the right, then abruptly
veered left to avoid a collision. The driver then lost control of the
SUV, which crashed into the center divider, Samson said. The
Expedition overturned, throwing the boy onto nearby railroad tracks,
where an approaching Gold Line train amputated his right foot. He
also suffered head injuries, Samson said. The boy was hospitalized at
County-USC Medical Center in extremely critical condition, according
to the Pasadena Star-News. Three women were killed in the crash. Two
who were thrown from the Expedition were declared dead at the scene,
said Lisa Derderian of the Pasadena Fire Department. Another suffered
cardiac arrest and later died at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Samson
said. They were identified as Lena Khodaverdian, 41, Alice
Basmadijian, 82, and Hrepsimi Hadadjian, 77, according to the Los
Angeles County Coroner's Office. A 70-year-old woman suffered a
broken leg and sustained major head and chest injuries. She was
hospitalized at Huntington Memorial Hospital in critical condition
last night, according to the CHP. A 77-year-old woman who suffered
cuts and scrapes was taken to County-USC Medical Center, Samson said.
The driver, a 45-year-old woman, who sustained minor injuries, was
taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP. A
1-year-old girl escaped with no injuries, Samson said. The driver and
the baby were the only ones wearing seat belts, according to the CHP.
An official at the scene told KCAL9 that the train, with 10
passengers aboard, was coming around a curve when the conductor saw
something on the track and tried unsuccessfully to stop. Two train
passengers reportedly suffered minor injuries. "We have some fire
department personnel on scene that have said this is one of the most
horrific accidents they've ever seen in their long careers with the
fire department," Derderian said.