Cal Poly freshman Sheri French died in a car accident on California State Route 121 near Napa Valley in the late afternoon on Saturday Feb. 18.
French, 19, a business administration major, died along with her boyfriend, John Matteron, 20, when their Dodge Neon collided with a sport utility vehicle driven by a 31-year-old San Pablo woman, Marisol Almean, according to a report from San Francisco CBS 5.
According to CBS 5, “The 1995 Neon was hit from behind, but the impact of the crash pushed the back of the car into the front seat,” California Highway Patrol Sgt. Wayne Ziese said.
Ziese said that French and Mattern were traveling westbound, when French appeared to have made a quick U-turn into the path of Almean’s gold Chevy Suburban.
According to CBS 5, Mattern was dead on scene, and French died shortly after being flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Counselors answered questions concerning grieving and dealing with the loss of a loved one on Sunday in Tenya Hall, French’s former residence.
She was remembered warmly by her friends.
“She was the kind of person who was always cheerful,” said Neil Radke, a mechanical engineering freshman. “It was rare (for her) to be depressed or angry.”
There is a box at the front desk in Tenaya where students and friends can leave letters written to French’s parents.