Crash Victim Remembered as 'A Wonderful, Dedicated Family Man'

Zahir Khan, the 64-year-old Salem, N.H. man was "a wonderful, dedicated family man," according to a long-time friend.

Sherry Burke said in an email that she has known Khan's family for more than 15 years. She said Khan was a native of Pakistan, who "loved and was faithful to the traditions of his homeland." But he also fell in love with the freedom that he found upon moving to the United States many years ago.

"He was the type of man that was stern but fair," Burke said. "He was like any other father. He wanted the best for his sons. He wanted them to study, get good grades, choose a career path (not just a job but a career), be smart financially. Above all, he wanted them to remember that family sticks together."

Burke went on to call Khan "kind hearted," saying his only flaw was that he put himself second in everything he did.

The accident occurred around 5 a.m. Sunday, when Khan's 2010 Toyota Corolla crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 495 north, just prior to Interstate 93 in Andover. He was taken to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Burke said Khan was on the phone with another friend when the accident happened, and he told the friend he was having chest pains.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but Massachusetts State Police said they believe he might have suffered some sort of a medical emergency prior to the crash.

"We will miss him terribly," Burke said. "We have lost a truly noble, kind and generous man. He leaves behind two wonderful sons and many, many friends and colleagues who will miss his charismatic smile, quick qit and big heart."