Texas superintendent: Community stunned about deaths

Two vacationing Texas teachers who were killed near Fernley on Monday are being remembered as dedicated educators who will be sorely missed in their small community northwest of Corpus Christi.

San Diego, Texas, residents Renee J. Upchurch, 53, and Esther Garza, 59, loved touring and were exploring Nevada when they were struck by a Nevada Department of Transportation truck while parked along the side of Highway 50 Alternate. Upchurch died at the scene. Garza died a short time later at Renown Regional Medical Center.

Superintendent Ignacio Salinas Jr. said the community of 4,500 residents is in shock after hearing of the fatal accident.

"They were both math teachers, invaluable in this day and age," Salinas said. "Renee taught geometry and Ester taught pre-calculus. More importantly, they were very dedicated teachers."

Salinas said Garza had just retired from teaching, and her colleagues gave her a Las Vegas-themed party. He said Upchurch was planning to retire within the next two years.

"Both enjoyed traveling and driving," Salinas said.

Although he didn't know their itinerary, he knew they wanted to see Las Vegas and other attractions in this part of the country and then return home to share their experiences.

Salinas, though, said people in San Diego are having a difficult time accepting the deaths of two popular educators.

"They were very well respected," he said. "Our community gives our teachers a lot of respect and admiration. They made many impacts on students' and adults' lives. They were very conscientious about their teaching and both were coaches."

Salinas said he knew Upchurch when they were children and recognized her creativity as a teacher.

"She was always very conscientious, a hard worker," he reflected. "Renee has family in San Diego, and she came from a long line of teachers ... her mother, sisters. She was deep rooted in our community."

He said Garza had taught in San Diego for 20 years.

"She had found a family with us," he said.

Salinas, who has been superintendent for almost two years, said the people of San Diego are resilient.

"Their contributions will live forever because of their teaching," he said, his voice softening. "They will be missed, but we will get through it. It won't be easy."

While they women were in their pickup, Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Chuck Allen said a state truck that was part of a road-striping crew apparently left the highway and rear-ended the pickup. He said the impact of the accident pushed the pickup off the shoulder and into the desert.

Allen said the driver, 61-year-old Leslie Brewer of Sparks, sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate and was transported by ground ambulance to Renown. He was later released.

The Nevada Highway Patrol-Northern Command Major Accident Investigation Team is conducting the investigation and witnesses, or anyone with additional information, is encouraged to call Trooper Mike Stapledon at (775) 689-4623, or the Department of Public Safety-Communications Center at (775) 687-0400 regarding case No. NHP-1106130380.