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There's a bouquet of flowers in the main office at Lynbrook High School, and two boxes of cards. On first glance, it could seem like a celebration. Instead, it's a memorial for Tammy Chen.
Chen, a Lynbrook senior, died in a single-car accident on southbound Interstate 280 on Jan. 15. She was a passenger in the vehicle with three other students.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the car apparently drifted across two lanes of traffic north of Farm Hill Boulevard in Redwood City, hit the shoulder, went down an embankment and crashed into two trees. A second passenger, Sherry Hsieh, was critically injured.
The students were returning from San Francisco after reportedly visiting an art schools' college fair. Police said drugs or alcohol were not believed to be responsible for the crash. "We are exploring the possibility the driver fell asleep for reasons yet to be determined," said Sgt. Gaylord Gee, a spokesman with the California Highway Patrol. "There were no skid marks or other evasive maneuvering."
The officer estimated the vehicle to be traveling about 65 mph at the time of the 6:30 p.m. accident.
Lynbrook Principal Mike White said students are coping as best they can. Some have made paper cranes or paper stars to honor Chen and Hsieh. The main office at Lynbrook is a place for people to leave cards or flowers. Friends of the 17-year-old Chen have also made memory books for her.
With Hsieh unconscious and in intensive care at Stanford University Hospital, her friends have recorded songs and gathered reading material for her when she wakes up.
White also said Chen's family would like to set up a scholarship in her name.
No memorial service is scheduled at the school. "Our role is to help the students process," White said. "We're here to facilitate and to help." The school also has a full-time employee known as a student advocate to help with grief counseling.
Nearly 500 people attended Chen's funeral on Jan. 22. The funeral followed Buddhist traditions and touched on the Buddhist belief in reincarnation.
The driver, a 17-year-old from Cupertino, and a third passenger were treated for minor injuries and released.
The accident is the second tragedy to hit Lynbrook in recent months. In December, another Lynbrook student, Kevin Lam, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart condition.
Those interested in donating to a scholarship foundation to be set up in Tammy Chen's name, contact Lynbrook High School at 408.366.7700.
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