Eastvale Teacher Dies In Crash

Staff Reports

Eastvale – A teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale died last Thurs., Dec. 28, in an accident in Oregon, state police said.

Rachael Black, 59, and her husband, Vernon, also 59, collided with a semi-tractor on an Oregon highway. Black taught physics at the school.

The accident, which took place at around 1 pm during the day, was on highway 140 in Jackson County Oregon.

The couple lived in Rancho Cucamonga.

“We ask our community to join the staff and students of Eleanor Roosevelt High School as well as the entire Corona-Norco Unified School District family in keeping the family in their thoughts during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.

“The Corona-Norco Unified School District and Eleanor Roosevelt High School community is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Mrs. Black, a beloved physics teacher at Roosevelt High School in Eastvale,” the district said in a statement last week.

“We understand this sad news weighs heavily on our students and staff; for this reason, counselors and psychologists will be made available when school returns back in session after the winter break,” the district said.

According to online reports, a 2013 Toyota Camry, driven by Vernon Black, failed to halt at a stop sign while heading northbound on Kershaw Road and pulled in front of a Freightliner rig heading westbound on Highway 140.

The operator of the semi rig, identified as Kelly Kime, 49, from Grants Pass, was uninjured and was cooperating with police in their investigation. No criminal charges were being considered, the state police news release said.

There was no indication of a memorial or local funeral arraignments and the district is out of school until Jan. 16, for the holiday break.