Freak Accident Kills Peninsula Music Instructor

A 62-year-old man who was fatally struck by his own vehicle as it rolled away Wednesday morning in Pacifica has been identified as a music instructor at Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School, school district officials said. Band director Jerry Downs was hired in 2002, and served roughly 15 years with the district, according to Pacifica School District Superintendent Wendy Tukloff.

Downs suffered major injuries around 11 a.m. at or near school grounds. Emergency personnel found him unresponsive and he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

"He had such a passion for music and teaching students to be musicians and performers," Tukloff said. "He was really one of the mainstays for our program."

Downs taught at more than one school, so grief counselors have been made available at several campuses, as well as high schools in another district where his former students are currently in attendance.

"We all have heavy hearts, and we're going to be reaching out to support our Pacifica community," Tukloff said. "He will be sorely missed, and our hearts go out to his loved ones as well."

— By Bay City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone