San Ramon School Crossing Guard Killed; $9K Raised To Build Memorial

SAN RAMON, CA — Michelle Rodrigue had just embarked on her first day of retirement from her two-decade run at a San Ramon elementary school when she was killed in a car accident, according to community members.

Rodrigue, 52, had served Bollinger Canyon Elementary School for more than 20 years as a crossing guard, lunch and recess aid. She is survived by her husband, Craig.

Family community members are raising money through GoFundMe to build a memorial to Rodrigue and fund a new playground "buddy bench," used for children who need extra comfort and encouragement on the playground, according to the fundraising page, which is organized by Bridget Lindberg.

"Each day, she greeted children with smiles, hugs, and encouraging words. She wiped away tears, talked through anxieties, and joined in joyous laughter," Lindberg wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Rodrigue retired on June 3 and planned to move to Las Vegas with her husband. As she was driving to their new home, she died after a wrong-way driver collided with her vehicle.

As of Thursday morning, community members had raised $9,104. See the GoFundMe page for Rodrigue here.

Rodrigue was identified by the the Kern County coroner's office as the driver who died after she was hit by a woman accused of driving while intoxicated. The other driver reportedly hit her while she was driving the wrong way on the highway.

Rodrigue was pronounced dead at 9:09 p.m. on Highway 58.

Alexis Leon was charged with second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated DUI causing bodily injury and driving the wrong way on a highway, Bakersfield.com reported.

"Thank you for always keeping our Bollinger babies safe," fundraiser contributor Ada Esquivias wrote on the GoFundMe campaign. "Our community mourns your loss. You loved our children like they were yours. My kids have great memories of Michelle that we will cherish. Rest in forever peace Michelle."

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