Beloved Bay Area Teacher, Football Coach Killed By Garbage Truck: Police

MENLO PARK-ATHERTON, CA — A local middle school teacher and football coach died after colliding with a garbage truck while riding his bike early Wednesday morning in Atherton, police said.

At around 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Atherton Police officers said they responded to a reported crash involving a garbage truck and a bicyclist, identified at Dylan Taylor, near the intersection of Prior Lane and Middleton Road in Atherton.

Police said the garbage truck was driving southbound on Middlefield Road and began to turn right onto Prior Lane when it collided with Taylor, who was also traveling south in the bike lane.

Paramedics transported Taylor to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead a shortly after, police said.

“On behalf of the entire police department team and the Town of Atherton, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the victim. No words can ease the pain of such a devastating loss, but please know that our thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time,” said Steven McCulley, Atherton Chief of Police.

The driver of the garbage truck remained at the scene, cooperated with officers in the ongoing investigation and there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, police said.

“I want to assure our community that we take this tragedy seriously. We must all work together — Town departments, private partners, and residents — to help ensure that such a preventable loss does not happen again,” McCuller said.