‘Broken hearted:’ Blue Valley community mourns middle school teacher killed in Olathe crash
A woman killed Friday after being hit by a vehicle in Olathe has been identified as a Johnson County middle school teacher.
Taylor Eddings, 28, was struck by a vehicle around 8:20 p.m. when she was walking in the area of East Kansas City Road and North Central Street, according to Olathe police. The Lakewood Middle School math teacher and track coach was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
“Her loss has left us all broken hearted,” said Lakewood principal Lisa Stolper in a letter to families. “Ms. Eddings’ passing is an unimaginable loss for our community.”
Stolper encouraged families to tell students about Eddings’ passing before the start of school Monday to help support them as they grieve. The school also plans to tell students of Eddings’ death and provide support through school counselors.
The school said Eddings’ classes will be covered by a retired Lakewood teacher who regularly works as a substitute in the building and knows many of the students.
Students will also have the opportunity to make cards for Eddings’ family.
“Please keep Ms. Eddings’ family in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to make funeral arrangements,” Stolper said. “Together, as a community, we can provide the understanding and care needed to help our children and each other through this extremely difficult time.”
The driver who struck Eddings remained at the scene when officers arrived. Police are investigating the crash and ask anyone with information to call the department at 913-971-6363 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
