Prosecutors said Monday that a prominent rabbi intentionally struck a Costco worker with his car in Ventura County, rather than hitting him by accident.
Abba Avrohom Bryski, a 35-year-old educator from Agoura Hills, faces a felony murder charge in the death of 28-year-old Nicholas Lang outside a Costco warehouse in Camarillo, northwest of Los Angeles. He is also charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer.
Emergency crews were called to the West Ventura Boulevard gas station shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 after receiving reports that a pedestrian had been struck near the fuel pumps.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Lang was painting pavement stripes when the rabbi allegedly directed his Infiniti Q60 coupe at him “intentionally.” Lang was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
“His life was tragically cut short by an individual whose alleged actions demonstrated a shocking disregard for human life,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. “We are committed to holding the defendant accountable and pursuing justice for the victim and his loved ones.”
Bryski appeared in court Tuesday, where his arraignment was continued to November 18. The district attorney’s office said he remains in custody without bail.
Prosecutors have not said whether Bryski and Lang knew each other, or explained what may have led to the incident. The investigation is continuing.
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Jail records identify Bryski as a rabbi and educator. He is the son of Rabbi Moshe Bryski, leader of Chabad of the Conejo. The wider Chabad-Lubavitch organization, however, has disputed that the younger Bryski held an official position within the movement.
The fatal incident occurred at a newly built retail warehouse scheduled to open Oct. 30. Its adjoining gas station had been operating since May.
An obituary website was recently created for Lang, who was from Modesto. Visitors can donate toward planting a tree in his memory through the Arbor Day Foundation, which would use the project to help restore forests destroyed by the devastating 2021 Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon. The fire affected 413,765 acres of forest.
Lang’s wife posted 25 photographs on the site, many showing the couple together. Several images feature Lang carrying a child, while another appears to show him proposing to her.
The collection also includes several photos of the couple visiting a Disney-themed adventure park.
“In loving memory of Nicholas, who will be missed by so many. May this tree grow tall and strong as a living tribute to the beautiful soul that touched so many lives,” one person wrote on the site.