Former KU student Rachel Leek is the victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident. A car struck her bicycle on Friday, but Leek will be remembered by those who knew her as a unique individual overflowing with enthusiasm.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Former KU student Rachel Leek will be remembered by those who knew her as a unique individual overflowing with enthusiasm.
Video
Hit-and-run driver identified
Police have identified the driver in the hit-and-run fatality of former KU student, Rachel Leek. The police say the driver is 21-year-old Joel Cedric Hernandez, but they have made no arrest.
Twenty-year-old Leek was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident when a car struck her bicycle in the 1000 block of Tennessee Street about 2:30 a.m. Friday.
Leek and her boyfriend, Sam Goodell, Lawrence non-traditional student studying American Studies, were dating for about 13 months, he said.
“I don’t know why she chose me but I was always so proud and so lucky,” Goodell said. “We were so perfect together and we balanced each other out perfectly.”
Goodell said Leek was on her way to meet him and some friends when she was struck. When he got to the scene, he said he recognized her bike.
“She really liked her bike and had just given it a paint job — blue and yellow stripes,” he said. “She was so proud of it.”
Goodell said he admired her enthusiasm for the simplest things in life.
“She just really knew how to be content in her life,” he said. “She was a treasure.”
One of 11 siblings, Leek followed some of her sisters’ paths and worked with them at Wheatfields Bakery for two years.
Martin Jiminez, Hayes senior, worked with Leek and two of her older sisters.
“She was just a solid human being,” Jiminez said. “She just set the mood with her attitude and she was just so calm, cool and collected.”
Jiminez described her as a joy to be around and to have on their team at the bakery.
“She was kind of a glue for us and she kind of kept us balanced,” Jiminez said. “She was a wonderful, wonderful person.”
Her family will hold a wake for Leek from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the same location.
— Edited by Samantha Foster
Hit-and-run driver identified
Police state Joel Cedric Hernandez was driving the car that struck and ...
Bicyclist killed on Tennessee
Former KU student Rachel Leek was hit by a car in an ...
Suspect identified in connection with hit-and-run accident
No charges have yet been filed against the 21-year-old Lawrence resident.
Lawrence police identify person of interest in ...
The suspect is a Lawrence man; his name has not been released.
Locals recognize cycling issues
Although residents say Lawrence is generally a safe place to cycle, there ...
Editorial: Punishment for hit-and-run drivers should be ...
State laws regarding accidents involving pedestrians need to be strengthened.
Stricter punishment underway for hit-and-run offenders
State officials and family members of hit-and-run victims are now enforcing a ...
Hit-and-run driver waives rights
Joel Hernandez faces four charges in the death of former KU student.
Man charged in hit-and-run accident
Joel Cedric Hernandez was charged with vehicular homicide in connection to accident ...
Bicycle security requires extra steps
Bike thefts caused more than $6,000 in losses so far this semester.
Student interns at ‘Daily Show’
Her aspirations of working on a New York comedy show came true ...
Lawrence man builds wacky bikes
Eric Farnsworth has built quite a variety of bicycles, from a lawnmower ...
Hit-and-run driver granted continuance
The man who struck a bicyclist in October will report to court ...
Save the planet, save money — get ...
Students around in the summer are taking to cycling around campus. Here's ...
Committee works to make bicycling safer in ...
Possible grant money will expand Lawrence bike lane network, increase safety for ...
Witnesses testify in hit-and-run case; jurors meet
Several new witnesses testified in the hit-and-run case, focusing on whether victim ...
Joe's Bakery: New twist on sweet tradition
For more than half a century, Joe's Bakery has served Lawrence residents ...
Building better communities, one bicycle ride at ...
Student prepares for community service bike ride.
Loved ones honor, remember Stephanie Conn
The Bonner Springs senior died Sunday, Oct. 10 in a car accident ...
Student Senate leader reappointed
Rachel Barnes, Community Affairs Director for Student Senate, was re-elected Wednesday night. ...
Graduate secretary was ‘unbreakable force’
Friends and family remember Montana Huslig as someone who saw the positives ...
Student plans bike ride across country
Stephanie Meehan hopes her 3,500-mile jaunt will raise awareness about housing costs ...
Tragedy in transition: Lindy's story
Lindy Anderson had to deal with the death of her father mostly ...
Puckett remembered in department ceremony
Longtime accompanist died of a heart attack Nov. 3.
Dusting off the gears
A tune-up and some springtime TLC will keep your hip ride rolling ...
No more dough from Joe
Joe’s Bakery closed Friday for the second time after concern from its ...
Lawrence's super smash bikers
Students update an age-old sport by switching to bicycles.
Striving for parental acceptance
Gay and lesbian students at the University of Kansas have revealed their ...
Stop signs befuddle cyclists
Bike riders on campus find themselves getting ticketed for not obeying stop ...
The unsettled life of Sarah Bregman
How one student's tumultuous past gave her a chance for a better ...
Kansas player visits Ethiopia
The KU player also got the opportunity to do missionary work.
Jarmoc's relentlessness gives volleyball team young leadership
The sophomore credits her parents' history in athletics as well as her ...
Mirsepasi remembered as happy, caring
KU student’s passing mourned by friends and family.
Transgenders share stories of perseverance
The International Transgender Day of Remembrance was this past Saturday.
Tour of Lawrence shows strength of biking ...
Hundreds come out over the weekend to watch and compete in three-day ...
Friends tell fire victim's story
Joe's Bakery gives away its secrets
Hidden ingredients to be shared before football game.
Porn Star Profile: Jody Maxwell
Erotica star talks about Midwest roots.
Second cupcake bakery opens shop in Lawrence
The national cupcake trend rages on as a second bakery opens on ...
Malicious Intimacy: Chloe and Luke
Violent Suppression: artist re-emerges after half a decade of abuse
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID