ContraCostaTimes.Com -- A 39-year-old airman from Vallejo died this week after being injured in a traffic accident in Doha, Qatar, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.

Master Sgt. Jude C. Mariano died Tuesday, five days after he was injured in the two-car crash.

"He was a passenger in a military vehicle driving off base," said Lt. Col. Sam Hudspath, a Pentagon spokesman. "They were actually struck by another vehicle."

Hudspath did not have any information about the other vehicle, but said the circumstances of Mariano's death were "nonhostile."

"He was over in the theater serving on behalf of his country, which makes him a patriot and a hero in the eyes of his peers, family and friends," Hudspath said. "As with anybody, we respect and honor his service, and the best way we can continue to honor his memory is through our continued vigilance and service."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also offered his condolences.

"I share the sorrow of Jude's family. As a master sergeant, he carried with him the highest ideals of our country, and we are greatly indebted to him for protecting our freedoms. Maria and I send our deepest condolences to his family," he said in a written statement.

Seven Air Force personnel have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Afghanistan.

According to the Air Force, Mariano was one of five people in a vehicle that crashed Feb. 5. All five were taken to General Hammed Hospital in Qatar. Two were treated and released. The other two, who are noncommissioned officers, remain hospitalized. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Mariano was assigned to the 615th Air Mobility Operations Squadron out of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. He was serving as an information manager in the Air Mobility Division at the Combined Air Operations Center at the base.