Coroner’s Office Declines to Identify Crash Victim

While the California Highway Patrol has identified Zacharia “Zaki” Gordon, 22, as the man killed when his sport utility vehicle hit a gasoline tanker on the 101 Freeway on Saturday, the coroner has not. His identity must be confirmed before his body can be released to family members, said a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office Monday.

According to Lt. Fred Corral of the investigation division of the coroner’s office, the office could not comment on the man’s identity nor the cause of his death, pending analysis of dental records. The victim’s body was burned beyond recognition, he said.

For now, Corral said, “he’s a John Doe. We have to make an appointment with our forensic odontologist [dentist].”

CHP officers said Gordon died at the scene after he lost control of his Chevrolet Blazer on the slick pavement about noon and hit the tanker, which slammed into the freeway center divider near the Lindero Canyon Road overpass. Thousands of gallons of gasoline spilled and ignited.

Two passengers in Gordon’s vehicle--his brothers Yani, 11, and Adam, 14--were treated at the Los Robles Regional Medical Center and released, the CHP said. The tanker driver, John Legans, 48, of Lancaster, was treated at the center for cuts and abrasions and released.

A motorist who tried to help Gordon, Mike Daniel, 19, of Van Nuys, was treated and released from the center for minor burns, CHP officials said. Gordon’s body was taken to the coroner’s office for examination, they said.

“The dental records are going to be matched to the X-rays and the records we have from the remains we have here,” Corral said.

The Gordon family declined to comment on Monday.