http://www.ocregister.com/news/rupp-284913-teacher-students.html?nstrack=sid%3A994821 A beloved Fullerton Union High School teacher injured in a Wednesday night collision remains in intensive care in "very critical" condition, despite what appeared to be positive signs early Thursday morning, police said.
Jeff Rupp, a 58-year-old government and philosophy teacher, was riding his 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle northbound on Euclid Street when the driver of a 2004 Hyundai sedan traveling southbound on Euclid made a left turn in front of him in the Malvern Avenue intersection, Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said.
In the 2009 yearbook for Fullerton Union High School, Teacher Jeff Rupp is pictured with his daughter Sarah Rupp, who was a senior on campus that year. The quote on the photo from Sarah Rupp says, "No! There is no way in heck I'll be riding on the back of his motorcycle." Jeff Rupp is in critical condition at UCI Medical Center after he was struck on his motorcycle Wednesday evening.
Rupp, who suffered head injuries and broken bones, was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange. Students, staff and parents went to the hospital Wednesday night to support Rupp and his family.
"It's day by day," Goodrich said of Rupp's condition.
Principal Catherine Gach said Rupp, who was district teacher of the year in 2007, has touched the lives of many students.
"He is the type of person who does a lot of great things for students," Gach said. "Many students, when they come back, they always come back to see him."
Lauren Shoemaker, Rupp's substitute teacher and former student, said he is a very popular and well-respected teacher.
"Staff and students really like him and respect him a lot," Shoemaker said. "He is very dedicated. He goes the extra mile for students, and they appreciate that."
Senior Zachary Zaret was in Rupp's history class last year and said he learned about Rupp's accident through a friend and then the news quickly spread on Facebook.
"He is a tough guy, and we are going to see him pull through," Zaret said. "Everyone cares about him, and everyone is disheartened that this happened."
Counselors were on hand at the school and in Rupp's classroom.
"All things considered, the school was somber but optimistic," Goodrich said.
Police are investigating the collision but do not believe that alcohol, drugs or excessive speeds were a factor in the crash. Police are investigating the driver of the Hyundai for failing to yield, but it isn't clear whether he saw the motorcycle or thought he had right of way.
"Even with a Harley, which is a decent-size bike, people don't see them or gauge it right," Goodrich said. "That is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents - people turning left."
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to call investigator Brandon Clyde at 714-738-6812 or the front desk of the Fullerton Police Station at 714-738-6715.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/rupp-288078-teacher-friday.html FULLERTON - A beloved Fullerton Union High School teacher died Friday, more than three weeks after he was seriously injured during a traffic collision, authorities said.
Jeff Rupp, a 58-year-old government and philosophy instructor and 2007 teacher of the year, was critically injured after colliding with a car while riding his 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle during the evening hours Jan. 19.
Rupp died just after 2 p.m. at Wells House Hospice in Anaheim of injuries sustained in the collision, Orange County Coroner's Office officials said.
Police say Rupp was riding northbound on Euclid Street when the driver of a 2004 Hyundai sedan traveling southbound on Euclid made a left turn in front of him in the Malvern Avenue intersection.
Rupp, who suffered head injuries and broken bones in the collision, was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange in very critical condition.
According to updates of Rupp's condition posted on the Fullerton Union High School web page, Rupp was moved from the intensive-care unit at UCI Medical Center to a different facility early Friday but remained in a coma and nonresponsive. Several hours later, the school posted "with a very heavy heart" that Rupp had passed away.
News of Rupp's accident spread quickly among his students, colleagues and the Fullerton community, many of whom described him as a dedicated, popular and well-respected teacher.
Police do not believe that alcohol, drugs or excessive speeds were factors in the crash but are investigating the driver of the Hyundai for failing to yield. No charges have been filed.
http://fullertonstories.com/fuhs-jeff-rupp-dies/ Fullerton Union High School teacher Jeff Rupp died today at UCI Medical Center after he was critically injured January 19 when his Harley Davidson collided with a car at the intersection of Malvern Avenue and Euclid Street. He was 58.
Rupp taught Advanced Placement Human Geography and AP U.S. History, as well as an International Baccalaureate theory of knowledge course.
Rupp was traveling northbound on Euclid Street when a driver traveling southbound turned left onto Malvern Avenue. He suffered head injuries and broken bones from the accident.
The driver of the car, 43-year-old Todd Shawver, of Placentia, failed to yield and collided with Rupp. Police do not believe that drugs, alcohol or excessive speed were factors, although manslaughter charges could be brought against Shawver, according to Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich.
Before the accident, Rupp was working with students on a project called “Pennies for Peace,” which was developed after his students read “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson. Its mission is to promote peace through education, and his students have continued to raise money for the cause, said Cindy Gach, FUHS principal.
“It’s so devastating to lose a colleague and someone who has touched so many lives. There is an aura of sadness, and he will be missed,” Gach said.
FUHS will work with Rupp’s family to plan a memorial service.
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I've already scheduled time off for the service, and am working with my mom to make sure we've got a hotel room nearby.