A local school teacher is dead after a multi-vehicle crash in Cass County.
Sarah Proctor, a 41-year-old Mishawaka, Ind. resident and second grade teacher at Justus Gage Elementary in Dowagiac, died Friday evening after a three-vehicle crash involving a semi truck.
Cass County Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reported Saturday that his office were called to the scene of a crash at M-60 Anderson Road in Howard Township at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. Investigation showed Proctor was stopping to turn onto Anderson Road when a vehicle driven by 34-year-old Dowagiac resident Bridgette Garza crashed into the back of Proctor’s vehicle. Garza’s vehicle continued off the roadway and rolled onto its side. Proctor’s vehicle was pushed into the northeast lane of traffic. A semi-truck driven by 72-year-old Niles resident Dale Rieder then crashed into Proctor’s vehicle.
The vehicle driven by Garza had three passengers present at the times of the crash – Devan Harley, 30, of South Bend; Christopher Hall, 31, of Dowagiac; Shelley Vanbrocklin, 13, of Dowagiac. All occupants of the vehicle were transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash. Proctor was pronounced dead on the scene.
Proctor’s sister-in-law, Laura (Miers) Proctor, posted the news on her Facebook page:
Members of the Dowagiac Union School District have since responded to the tragedy. Read a letter from Dowagiac Superintendent Jonathan Whan below:
I write this message with a heavy heart and deep sadness. We learned that last night, one of our second-grade teachers, Sarah Proctor, was involved in a tragic car accident where she lost her life. We do not have any more details beyond what has been shared by the Sheriff’s department, but please take a moment to remember her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers this morning.
We have activated the district crisis team, and they will be available on Monday at Justus Gage Elementary for students and staff members needing assistance. For all our families, but particularly those with children in her classroom, we will be taking steps to provide additional support for your child and your family in the face of this loss. On Monday and in the week ahead, grief counselors and crisis team members will be available if you should have questions or need assistance. As a school community, we must unite to surround and support each other during this difficult time.
If you need additional support or know someone else who is struggling, please reach out to your building principal, counselor, or social worker. When trauma occurs, ongoing help is available, and it is important that we are sensitive to those who are affected by this devastating news. We cannot explain why tragedies occur, but we can extend compassionate care to those who are hurting.
In the coming days, if additional resources are available that can be used with your child to process this difficult loss, they will be shared. The goal is to support talking with children about loss, death, and grief with age-appropriate strategies.
If any additional information becomes available, we will update you. Dowagiac Union Schools remains committed to providing an education of excellence to every child. As we work through grief and treasured memories of our colleague, let’s stand together and surround her classroom and colleagues with love and support.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the building principal or me. Thank you again for taking the time to remember family members and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued partnership with us during this difficult time.
(Image via Facebook)
