WCMS teacher killed in crash – Rachel dies after car strikes tree

A special education teacher and mother of seven is being mourned after she was killed Friday in a one-vehicle crash on a foggy West Green Hill Road.

The victim, Patsy Ann Rachel, 53, died at the scene of the morning crash near the intersection of Green Hill and Foster Road after her car ran off the road and struck a tree.

‘It appears Mrs. Rachel’s tires got off the right side of the road and when she came back onto the highway her 2002 Lincoln crossed over the oncoming lane and hit a tree,’ said Highway Patrolman Darrell Gribble, who investigated the 7:15 a.m. wreck.

While unsure whether a medical condition may have contributed to the wreck, it was noted there was a heavy fog in the area making visibility minimal on that stretch of road. Rachel was not wearing a seatbelt.

The sudden loss came as a blow to Warren County Middle School where she served as a teacher’s assistant in the special education department. A retired General Motors employee, she had served with the school system in various capacities for about two years.

‘This is a shock to all of us,’ said WCMS principal Betty Wood. ‘She will be sorely missed. She had a special touch for a lot of special students.’

Wood said Rachel went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to helping students.

According to Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale, a psychologist was dispatched to the middle school on Friday to offer counseling to students who were close to Rachel.