Designated Driver Dies, 1 Hurt When Car Broadsided

A Pasadena man serving as the designated driver for his best friend was killed Sunday when a drunk driver’s car ran a red light in Sepulveda and broadsided the victim’s car, authorities said.

“I’d really like to see the person who did this behind bars for the rest of his life,” said an angry Sonia Khodanian, 25, of North Hollywood, a friend of the dead man.

Avedis Atchabahayan, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:45 a.m. accident at Parthenia Street and Hayvenhurst Avenue, Los Angeles Police Officer Roger Stewart said.

Luis Murillo, 22, of Panorama City was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and was being held in the Van Nuys Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, Stewart said. Murillo had a blood-alcohol level of 0.22%, more than twice the legal limit, Stewart said.

Atchabahayan was driving a car that belonged to his friend, Armand Papazian, 25, of Glendale, because Papazian had been drinking alcohol at a friend’s engagement party, said Khodanian, who attended the party.

“We let Avedis drive the car and another drunk driver hits him,” Khodanian said. “It’s like, ‘Wake up. When you drink, you don’t drive.’ ”

Papazian was in serious condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Atchabahayan and Papazian were among about 140 people who gathered at a private Armenian school in Sepulveda on Saturday night to watch friends exchange engagement rings during a five-hour party. It was part of an Armenian custom, Khodanian said.

Atchabahayan joined in the festivities but did not drink the champagne or Scotch that was being served, Khodanian said. When the party ended, Papazian offered Atchabahayan the keys and climbed into the passenger seat, Khodanian said.

Atchabahayan, Khodanian and the other 10 people remaining at the party formed a six-car caravan that headed toward the bride-to-be’s house a short distance away to deliver presents and left-over food, Khodanian said.

Before leaving, members of the group warned each other to drive carefully and slowly on the rain-slick roads, Khodanian said. Atchabahayan was traveling south on Hayvenhurst when the car driven by Murillo, who was traveling west on Parthenia, ran a light and struck the left side of Papazian’s Honda, police said.

The caravan stopped at the crash scene, friends flocked to the Honda and Khodanian called for help on her car phone. Papazian had a 0.12% blood-alcohol level, Stewart said.

The friends and family met later at the bride-to-be’s house, where they stayed up the rest of the night mourning the loss of Atchabahayan and pulling for Papazian.

“They’re very careful. They’re very nice guys,” Khodanian said. “They’re like angels.”