A Washington elementary school community is grieving after a beloved teacher was killed while riding his bicycle in Seattle.
Christian Salyer, 30, a teacher at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, died after he was struck by a garbage truck on June 1, according to local reports.
Salyer was riding his bike in Seattle when he was hit by a Recology truck, Fox affiliate KCPQ reported.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said Salyer died from multiple blunt force injuries.
Recology later confirmed that one of its King County trucks was involved in the deadly crash.
“Safety is our top priority at Recology, and we are working with the proper authorities to determine exactly what happened,” a company spokesperson said in a statement, according to The Seattle Times.
After the crash, the intersection was temporarily shut down while the Seattle Police Department’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad investigated the scene.
Officials also evaluated the garbage truck driver for impairment at the scene, according to KCPQ.
Salyer’s death has devastated the school where he spent years teaching and caring for students.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Principal Julie Breidenbach remembered him in a letter to families as a dedicated educator whose loss will be deeply felt.
“Christian was a dedicated teacher who served our school with passion and care for many years,” Breidenbach wrote, according to The Seattle Times. “His warmth, dedication, and commitment to education will be deeply missed.”
In the days after his death, a “ghost bike” memorial was placed at the site of the crash in Salyer’s honor.
A GoFundMe created to help support Salyer’s family has also drawn support from the school community and others mourning the tragic loss.
The fundraiser has raised more than $28,000.
