A three-vehicle lunch time traffic accident claimed the life of a 77-year-old Herndon man and left four others injured on Friday, Jan. 17. Habib Chaudry was a passenger in a car when it was struck by another vehicle that police said had run a red light shortly after noon. Chaudry was taken by helicopter to Fairfax Hospital with life threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead from his injuries at 1:30 p.m.
The driver of a white 1992 two-door model Toyota, Said Abdelmagid, 53, of Herndon, was arrested and charged with reckless driving. He was released on a summons, according to Lt. Donald Amos of the Herndon Police Department.
The suspect, according to Herndon police, was speeding when it ran a red light while driving eastbound on Herndon Parkway Friday. The 1991 Mitsubishi Gallant which was carrying the victim, the driver and another passenger was hit as it drove southbound on Crestview Drive at about 12:04 p.m., police said. The Gallant then careened into the northbound lane of Crestview Drive and struck a late-model Mazda pick-up truck. The driver and other passenger in the Mitsubishi were taken to Fairfax Hospital with what authorities described as "non-life threatening injuries." The driver of the truck, according to police, sought treatment on his own for minor injuries.
The accident is still under investigation and the Herndon Police are asking for any witnesses to contact Sgt. Larry Whitmer at 703-435-6873.