LEWISVILLE, Texas — Friends in the Fairfax City, Virginia area are remembering long-time educator George Stepp who died in a tragic vehicle-pedestrian accident.
Lewisville Police tell WFAA that Stepp, who resided in Flower Mound, was struck in the parking lot of a McDonald's off West Main Street on Saturday morning.
"All indications are that this is a terrible accident," said Matt Martucci of Lewisville Police. "This man was not doing anything wrong. He's just out for morning coffee and gets hit out of the blue," he said.
Stepp was struck by a red truck as it backed up and suddenly accelerated. It is unclear what caused the driver to accelerate.
"For that to happen, my heart just breaks for his family," said Dr. Phyllis Pajardo, a former colleague of Stepp's. "He was gregarious. He was forceful. He had a deep care about the work," she said.
Stepp, 81, had been a teacher, principal, superintendent, and area superintendent for more than four decades in Virginia. He is described as 'all-business' whose legacy will be the Fairfax schools he built and the educators he built up.
"He tapped a number of us, promoted us, mentored us, guided us," said Pajardo.
WFAA made attempts to reach Stepp's family in Flower Mound but no contact was made. Lewisville PD said the driver is getting a medical evaluation and that no criminal charges are pending.