Jehan Mapatuna celebrated his 23rd birthday with his friends and called his parents to let them know that he will be home in 15 minutes. He and his friend Omari got into their Dodge caravan and headed towards home on the 60 freeway. The 19 year old driver of a red Ford Mustang entered the eastbound 60 Freeway heading westbound for over 7 miles before slamming into a black Dodge Caravan near the Main Street exit around 3:30 a.m. The deadly accident took Jehan’s life. While Omari is not at fault, he is blaming himself. “Even though that car was going the wrong way I should have seen it,” he said through tears. “I should have seen it, but I didn’t.”
Jehan is the only son of Shani & Sanath Siriwardena of Riverside. “He just loved to smile and have fun and make people laugh,” Omari said at a TV interview. Jehan was to begin school at UCLA this fall. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
A gofundme page is created on behalf of the family. Sambudhaloka Vihara in Moreno Valley has also created a fund for the family for more information contact Ven. Saranasiri or Ven. Anuruddha at 951-485-6644 for more information.
