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Son Mourns Beloved Father Killed In Glendale Bakery Crash

GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — The son of a 55-year-old man killed last week after a car slammed into a Glendale bakery said his beloved father was a model citizen and a great parent.

Stepan Vardanyan died Thursday when 71-year-old Wanda Wong's car plowed into Oledina's Cake Factory in the 1100 block of East Broadway.

Vardanyan was standing at the counter ordering coffee when he was pinned by the vehicle.

Gevorg Vardanyan, the victim's son, said the family was devastated when they got the news of his father's passing.

"One moment it's real deep sorrow crying…the next moment we're looking at his picture and laughing because that's how he looked all the time. He always smiled," said Gevorg.

Gevorg said his father, a watch repairman who spent more than a decade in the aerospace industry, brought their family of four to America from Armenia in 1997 to give them a better life.

"Probably the most difficult thing is waking up in the morning and not seeing him because he was an early bird…he would wake up really early and make sure everyone is up," said Gevorg.

Gevorg said he's awaiting the results of the police investigation on Wong, who has not yet been charged with any crime.

"Whoever this person was, I'm sure she didn't wish for this to happen, but we have to get to the bottom of this. I can't let it go," he said.

Police said medical issues, alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.

"Detectives have yet to look at the vehicle and determine if there was any kind of mechanical failure…whether it be the acceleration sticking or brakes not working and so on," said Sgt. Tom Lorenz of the Glendale Police Department.

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