EDMONDS — A health and fitness teacher at the Edmonds School District’s Madrona K-8 School was killed Saturday in a car accident on U.S. 2 near Leavenworth, the Washington State Patrol and school officials said.
Ga
yLynne Ullerich, 49, of Edmonds, was headed out with her family for a day of skiing at the time of the accident, the school’s website reported. Ullerich’s husband and her two teenage children survived.
“She was a wonderful, wonderful person in all of the roles she played,” Madrona Principal Lynda Fischer said.
The principal described Ullerich as a fit and healthy person who was devoted to her students, as well as her own children.
Ullerich’s middle-school students arranged a spontaneous vigil Sunday afternoon at Madrona, in south Edmonds. Some of her past students, who are now in high school, were among the mourners.
“It started with some text messages and grew into this really lovely candlelight walk around the track,” Fischer said.
The Washington State Patrol reported that Ullerich’s husband was driving east with her and their children in a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban when the accident occurred shortly after 8 a.m.
The sport utility vehicle lost control on the icy roadway, about 10 miles west of Leavenworth, and hit a snowbank on the right side of the road. That caused the SUV to roll, hit a tree and come to rest upside down.
All of the occupants were wearing seat belts, troopers said. Ullerich died at the scene. The others were taken to a local hospital.
The accident remained under investigation.
Madrona serves more than 600 students from throughout the Edmonds School District, including many who are deaf or hard of hearing. The school’s website reported that Ullerich’s husband and children had returned home. Edmonds School District officials have arranged to send extra counselors to the school on Tuesday.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
