A month after Kent elementary school teacher Stacy Ankerfelt was seriously injured by a car, the Auburn woman passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday.
The man who hit Ankerfelt, Samuel Cruz, remains in jail with bail set at $100,000. The King County Prosecutor’s Office expects to upgrade charges against Cruz from vehicular assault to vehicular homicide within the next few days.
Cruz was allegedly driving while under the influence of a prescription drug when he hit Ankerfelt as she stood along side her car near her Auburn home. Cruz told investigators at the scene of the accident he takes a drug called Suboxone for opiate dependency.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Aug. 6.
More than $38,000 had been raised by family, friends and the community for Ankerfelt’s medical expenses.
Firefighters had found her knocked unconscious, with multiple skull fractures, a cerebral hemorrhage and broken ribs from the July 19 accident.
She was at Harborview Medical Center in intensive care listed in serious condition for a month before she died earlier this week.
Scenic Hill Elementary School officials, where Ankerfelt taught, plan to honor the teacher with an ongoing tribute to her.
Principal Danielle Pfeiffer said students who demonstrate characteristics and qualities Ankerfelt possessed will receive “A” T-shirts for Ankerfelt.
The fifth-grade teacher was well respected amongst her peers and work associates.
Contact reporter Tracey Compton at tcompton@rentonreporter.com
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