‘Beacon of creativity’: Dance community, family mourn Elinor Steffy’s loss in crash
Elinor Steffy, a young dance instructor struck and killed by a car Jan. 22 while waiting for a train at a Folsom light rail station, was 22, but her influence and presence belied her age, her family said in a GoFundMe appeal posted this week.
“She brought worlds together and served as the glue between so many lives,” wrote mother Delcy Steffy. “Elinor Peace Steffy was more than a dance teacher. She was a mentor, a friend, and a beacon of creativity in the Sacramento community. Her passion for dance was matched only by her love for her students.”
Steffy’s love and legacy will live on through a nonprofit foundation her family is establishing in her honor. Funds will support dance education, master classes, workshops and cultural exchange opportunities for Sacramento-area youth.
More than $40,500 of a stated $50,000 goal had been raised as of Wednesday morning, the fundraising site showed.
“Elinor believed in nurturing each child as an individual, helping them discover their own style and voice. She cared deeply about their growth, both as dancers and as people, always encouraging them to express themselves and push their boundaries,” the appeal read. “Her classes were filled with joy, encouragement, and a genuine desire to see every student thrive.”
Steffy was on her way to work Jan. 22 at the Hawkins School of the Performing Arts in Folsom after spending the morning with her mother at the restaurant they ran together. She was waiting for light rail at Sacramento Regional Transit’s Iron Point station when she was fatally struck.
Authorities said a Tesla veered off Iron Point Road, struck a tree and a parked car, then crashed into the elevated train platform. Steffy was pronounced dead at the scene.
She had just left the family restaurant, Good Things to Eat at 2995 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento’s Curtis Park neighborhood, which also functioned as a gathering and practice space for local dancers — with mother and daughter regularly opening their doors to area crews.
“This generosity helped build a vibrant, supportive dance community that continues to inspire and uplift others,” Delcy Steffy wrote. “Elinor’s vision was to create opportunities for cultural exchange and travel, allowing young dancers from diverse backgrounds to share in the joy and art of dance.”
Folsom police officials said the crash remains under investigation, though alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor.
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 10:23 AM.
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