The family of a man whose body was ejected from his vehicle onto a freeway sign during a crash last week said they performed a lamb sacrifice days earlier to protect him from harm, family members told the Los Angeles Times.
Richard Pananian, 20, of Burbank faced serious health issues, his cousin, Armen Kardashian, told the Los Angeles Times. He did not provide details regarding the health problems, but Kardashian said the family performed a matagh -- a type of offering -- on Oct. 25, five days before the fatal crash on the 5 Freeway.
Matagh is a tradition of the Armenian Church and considered a show of appreciation to God for saving a life, asking for good health or for peace. The family hoped the matagh would protect Pananian, his cousin said.
The Oct. 25 offering also is described on a GoFundMe page set up to assist the family.
Pananian was driving to his job early Friday at Glendale Collision Center when he crashed on the southbound 5 Freeway, just north of the 134 Freeway. His Ford Fiesta slammed into the rear of a pickup and overturned, according to the California Highway Patrol.
He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the CHP. The body was found on the Colorado Street exit sign during the morning drive.
Firefighters used a ladder to reach and lower the body.
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The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.
