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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A man killed on a San Francisco freeway when a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into his minivan was the father of seven children who had immigrated to the United States after working with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, a friend said Monday.
Waheed Etimad, 40, came to the United States four years ago seeking a better life for his children, friend Sadat Barakazi said.
"He was a very hard-working person and a family man trying to give his children a better life," Barazaki said.
Etimad, of Concord, was studying to become a computer engineer and working full-time as an Uber driver.
Barakazi said he set up a GoFundMe campaign to help his friend's family because they had no close relatives in the area and he was the only person working to support his children, ranging from 2 to 15.
"His family is in desperate need, they have nobody here," Barakazi said.
Etimad died Sunday after a driver plowed into his van carrying six passengers on Highway 101. One of his passengers was taken to a hospital with major injuries.
Officials identified the wrong-way driver as 21-year-old Kayla Wilson of San Jose. Wilson also died in the crash.
Wilson was driving a sedan south on the northbound lanes of the highway when she crashed into two cars and then hit Etimad's van head-on, the California Highway Patrol said.
The CHP is investigating whether Wilson was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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