West Lebanon — Koto Japanese Steakhouse will continue to welcome patrons following a car crash on Sunday that killed the co-owner of the Route 12A business.

Front of house manager Ashley Mahmood said the restaurant will be open for regular business hours despite the death of Bao Ming Chen, who went by Jason.

“Jason poured his life’s work into this establishment, and we believe the best way to honor him is to take precious care of his legacy,” Mahmood wrote on Koto’s Facebook page on Monday.

In a telephone interview, Mahmood recalled the 44-year-old Chen as a “great guy” and an “incredible boss.”

“He was very generous, very funny and very passionate about this restaurant,” Mahmood said.

Chen’s life was cut short on Sunday morning on the Frederick E. Everett Turnpike in Nashua, N.H.

Chen was coming to a stop on the interstate because of a traffic incident ahead of him when he was rear-ended by another vehicle driven by 23-year-old Samantha Cote, of Merrimack, N.H., New Hampshire State Police said in a Monday news release.

Chen got out of his car and was struck by a vehicle drive by George Roeschlaub, of Hudson, N.H.

Chen suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at an area hospital, the release said.

Cote suffered minor injuries in the crash; Roeschlaub wasn’t harmed.

Fire officials said the roads were wet and slushy at the time and glare from the sun may have been the main factor in the chain-reaction crash, according to WMUR-TV.

Several messages left for State Trooper Michael Pelletier, who is handling the case, weren’t returned.

The incident remains under investigation by the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit.

Chen had been a partner at the West Lebanon Koto location for about 13 years, working alongside Jimmy Chang.

He also once owned the Koto restaurant in Keene, N.H.

Chang and the Chen family declined to comment through Mahmood.

Mahmood posted twice on Koto’s Facebook page after the incident, first breaking the news to customers about Chen.

“Longtime owner, personal friend and respected restaurant owner, Bao Ming Chen (Jason) has passed away in a horrible car accident,” the post reads. “As the manager and social media rep, I can say that Jason’s partner owners and myself are completely struck with grief at this sudden loss.”

According to the post, Chen has a wife, Jenny; two daughters and a son.

Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.