The driver killed in a two-car collision in Valencia on Thursday has been identified by officials at the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
Bashir Albadawi, 73, of Frazier Park, was identified as the driver that was killed when his car reportedly collided with another vehicle, before being sent down a roadside embankment Newhall Ranch Road and West Rye Canyon Road, according to Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer with the Coroner’s Office.
Albadawi, a clerk at a Gorman-local liquor store, was described as an “amazing man” by Valerie Cason, one of his regular customers at the store.
“He worked at the local liquor store here in Gorman for years, as well as another local liquor store. He is well known and loved by every one of his customers,” said Valerie Cason, a Gorman resident. “It’s a sad day for us here in Gorman, whether it be us locals or his regular customers.”
Cason said that they would exchange small talk frequently, and he would always ask about her family. “Just a kind hearted man — it will not be the same without him,” she added.
The collision was first reported at around 3:30 p.m. and originally came in as a traffic collision with people trapped, according to Franklin Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
At the time of the collision, officials said Albadawi’s car had flipped multiple times, “sustaining heavy damage.” Paramedics pronounced the individual dead on the scene.
“Two vehicles were involved and one went down the embankment,” said Supervisor Leslie Lua with the Fire Department, who added that an ambulance was initially requested, and then canceled.
Some of the westbound lanes on Newhall Ranch Road were closed as deputies conducted their investigation into the crash.
