Mom dies in two-vehicle crash while walking near East Sacramento elementary school
A mother died after she was struck while walking in the area of a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon during student pickup time at nearby Phoebe Hearst Elementary School in East Sacramento.
The vehicle crash occurred on Folsom Boulevard, and bystanders rushed to the mother’s aid after she was struck, according to an email from Sacramento City Unified School District sent to parents Friday. District officials thanked those who came to the mother’s aid.
The Sacramento Police Department closed Folsom between 59th and 60th streets for a few hours Thursday as officers investigated the crash involving two vehicles and the pedestrian. Everyone involved in the crash remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation.
Police said the woman suffered major injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Sacramento County coroner’s officials on Friday identified the victim as Guadalupe Jimenez, 45, of Elk Grove.
“We take the safety of our students and families to heart. A tragic accident such as this should give everyone pause to realize the roads around our schools need to be treated with extreme care,” Superintendent Jorge Aguilar said in the email to parents. “We extend our deepest sympathies to our impacted families and we are extending them our full support during this time.”
District officials confirmed the woman was a Phoebe Hearst Elementary parent, and many children and adults witnessed the incident. They said the incident “will undoubtedly result in a range of responses, based on their exposure, prior experiences and development,” and possibly trigger other negative memories and emotions.
The school district offered help for students, teachers and parents dealing with trauma and grief. District officials and a crisis response team were at the school Friday to offer support to staff and students. Next week, the school district’s “social emotional learning team” will be at the school to help teachers and students “with community building and healing practices,” according to the email to parents.
“Like you, I am devastated that we lost a member of the Phoebe family in a pedestrian accident,” School Board Member Leticia Garcia said in the email to parents. “Parent pickup is often a joyous time as families reunite after a day of school, and it’s easy to forget the dangers of high speed traffic.”
Garcia said she’s committed to work with city officials to thoroughly investigate the fatal crash and improve street safety. The school district asked parents to please drive safely, especially in school high-traffic areas.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 3:44 PM.
