TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local school district is mourning the loss of one of its teachers after she was killed in a head-on highway crash last week.
27 News reached out to Topeka USD 501 on Monday, June 2 and confirmed that a local preschool teacher died in a two-vehicle crash on Friday, May 30. USD 501 spokesman Aarion Gray shared an email sent to the district’s employees regarding the death of 32-year-old Andria Anderson, a teacher at Sheldon Head Start Preschool.
“Andria was such a joyful, kind, loving teacher who was passionate about early childhood. Her students and staff loved her dearly. She dedicated her life to serving young children and she impacted families at Pine Ridge Prep in past years and at Sheldon this year. Mrs. Anderson made learning fun and her students could not wait to see her smiling face every morning, she loved her students tremendously and was a bright light for so many. Mrs. Anderson’s laughter and positive energy filled the halls of Sheldon.”
Sheldon Head Start Principal Gabby Tanner
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USD 501 said it is mobilizing its mental health team at Sheldon to support families and staff who are impacted by Anderson’s loss. People who knew Anderson are also encouraged by the district to take part in memorial services which will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at Parker-Price & Davidson located at 245 Northwest Independence Avenue in Topeka.
The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) responded to a crash just after 2 p.m. on Friday, May 30 in the westbound lanes of Highway 24 close to where it intersects with Northwest Rochester Road. A Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by 22-year-old Anya J. Turner of Topeka, was traveling east on the highway when it went off the roadway to the right before overcorrecting to the left.
The Hyundai then crossed through the median and into the westbound lanes of traffic where it collided head-on with a Kia Forte.
The KHP initially reported that Turner was the only fatality associated with the crash. Anderson, listed under the last name Starr by the KHP, later died at a local hospital due to her injuries.
(Photo By: Grace Gaume)
(Photo By: Gabriel Johnson)
(Photo By: Grace Gaume)
(Photo By: Gabriel Johnson)
(Photo By: Gabriel Johnson)
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