Friends, students remember Woodbridge High instructor killed in fiery crash
Friends, students and officials at Irvine’s Woodbridge High School are sharing memories of Jason Alan Van Leuven, a special-needs instructor who died in a fiery car crash Dec. 13, four days shy of his 27th birthday.
Kind, generous and compassionate were among the terms used to describe Van Leuven on a Woodbridge student news site, Golden Arrow. Students honored him with a signed memorial drawing displayed in the media center.
“He was equal parts instructional aid, teacher and caregiver,” Principal Chris Krebs said Wednesday. “His kind disposition is why he was able to work effectively with students. His loss hurt our staff and community so much.”
Van Leuven, an Irvine resident with aspirations to become an occupational therapist, helped start a special-education program four years ago that would allow students with severe disabilities to remain on the Woodbridge campus for classes, Krebs said.
“He really dedicated his life to helping the students with special needs,” Assistant Principal Belinda Averill told Golden Arrow. “He was willing to do anything to support our students.”
Since his death, more than 150 people have donated $12,830 via a Go Fund Me web page to help the Van Leuven family pay for funeral services.
“I know life will change for you and it won’t be the same, but Jason will always be in your heart,” wrote Bob Westlake and Kevin Welch, who made a $50 donation https://www.at gofundme.com/iuznuo.
Van Leuven played soccer and baseball at Northwood High School in Irvine, according to Golden Arrow.
“Even back in high school [when] we played soccer together, he was just an awesome person,” Jon Moussalli, who worked with Van Leuven, told the site.
About 2 a.m. Dec. 13, Van Leuven was a passenger in a 2014 Kia Soul traveling at speeds above 90 mph as the driver fled California Highway Patrol officers, according to a CHP report.
The vehicle exited the northbound 55 Freeway, where the driver lost control and crashed into a brick column near El Camino Lane east of Newport Avenue in Tustin. The car flipped multiple times before becoming engulfed in flames.
Authorities said Van Leuven and the driver, Jeremy Roggero, 29, of Aliso Viejo, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority. A second passenger, a 26-year-old man from Irvine, suffered major injuries and was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, the CHP said.
Krebs said a celebration of life was held for Van Leuven on Dec. 18 on the baseball diamond at Windrow Park in Irvine.
Van Leuven is survived by two siblings, his father and his mother, Teresa Van Leuven, who works in the front office at Woodbridge High, Krebs said.