Boy, 8, in freeway accident still in coma

Pasadena Star News
Article Published: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 – 9:06:33 PM PST

Boy, 8, in freeway accident still in coma

Funeral services for other victims set

By Marshall Allen , Staff Writer

PASADENA — An 8- year-old Pasadena boy remains in a medically induced coma
after a rollover accident last week in which he was hurled from a sport
utility vehicle onto the Gold Line tracks and hit by a train.

Three women, including the child’s mother, Lena Khodaverdian, 41, were
killed and two others critically injured in the one-vehicle accident. The
crash happened about 10 a.m. Thursday on the eastbound Foothill (210)
Freeway just before the Madre Street exit.

The group of eight was from the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church in
Pasadena. They were traveling to a picnic at the Santa Fe Dam R ecreation A
rea in Irwindale when they crashed for unknown reasons. The California
Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Only two people in the SUV, including the driver, were wearing seat belts.
They sustained minor injuries and have been released from the hospital.

Two other women remain in critical condition one at Huntington Hospital and
the other at Los Angeles C ounty- USC Medical Center said Azniv Ailanjian,
the church’s secretary.

The boy lost his foot when he was hit by the train, and he also sustained
head and chest injuries, authorities said. He is being treated at County-USC
Medical Center, where doctors are trying to diagnose any potential brain
injury, Ailanjian said.

Khodaverdian’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn-
Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.

The memorial service for Alice Basmadjian, 82, is scheduled for 11 a.m.
today at the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church, 1536 Washington Blvd.,
Pasadena.

Services have not been finalized for Hrepsimi Hadadjian, 77, the third woman
killed in the accident, Ailanjian said.

Funds have been established to help the victims. Donations sent to the
Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church will go to the victims with the greatest
needs. Checks should be made out to the church.

Christ Armenian Church in La Crescenta has established a fund for the boy’s
family. Checks should be designated for “Lena’ and sent to 3857 Foothill
Blvd., Suite 158, La Crescenta, CA 91214.

Marshall Allen can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4461, or by e-mail at
marshall.allen@sgvn.com