The Kabul Tribune (KT) — WRDW reported that an Afghan Lyft driver and his passenger were killed late Thursday night after a fleeing vehicle ran a red light and struck their car during a police chase in the U.S. state of Georgia.
Friends identified the driver as Habibullah Azizi, an Afghan
immigrant who had moved to the United States several years ago.
“It’s pretty hard coming out of Afghanistan to make your
life much better working in America, support your family back in Afghanistan,”
said Ejaz Ahmadi. “I feel it because he was the only breadwinner for his
family.”
Ahmadi said authorities informed them that the crash
occurred during an active police pursuit. “He was driving for Lyft, and
unfortunately, the chase vehicle struck him directly,” he said, adding that
both Azizi and his passenger died at the scene.
According to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office policy,
officers may initiate a high-speed pursuit only if the suspect is fleeing a
suspected felony and poses a danger to the public if not apprehended.
The sheriff’s office did not respond to requests for comment
on the incident.
Ahmadi has appealed to the community for support to help
return Azizi’s body to Afghanistan so his family can hold a final farewell.
“I plead to every single person who is watching me, please
support his family,” he said.
