School official’s daughter dies in crash: Hillsborough board president, oldest daughter also injured in DUI accident

Don Geddis, 49, was hospitalized after the crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Kayla Geddis, who was also in the car, and expressed his sorrow in a prepared statement.

“We are devastated by the loss of our sweet, smart and kind daughter, Kendra, and are focused on helping our older daughter, Kayla, heal from her traumatic injuries,” he said. “We are grateful to the community for the outpouring of support. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

The Geddises were driving in traffic along Interstate 405 near Seal Beach in Orange County when a vehicle driven by Adam Kanas, 36, slammed into the back of the family’s car and sandwiched it against another sedan ahead, according to a press release from the California Highway Patrol.

Kendra Geddis was pronounced dead shortly after the crash at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where Kayla Geddis was being held in critical condition while Don Geddis was in moderate condition, said Capt. Stephen Horner, of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Anthony Ranii, superintendent of the Hillsborough City School District, expressed the support of the local school community for the Geddis family in a prepared statement.

“The loss of a child is a tragedy beyond our understanding. On behalf of the entire Hillsborough City School District, we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Geddis family as they grieve through this tragedy,” he said. “We are a close community and everyone in the district will be there to support the Geddis family in the difficult days ahead. In the meantime, we will respect the family’s wishes for privacy.”

Kanas, of San Clemente, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and booked into Orange County Jail, according to the press release.

Law enforcement officers were en route to the scene of the accident when it occurred, because nearby drivers had reported the Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Kanas was maneuvering erratically through traffic, according to the press release.

Off-duty firefighters in the area on their way to work at the time responded quickly to the crash, and assisted in removing the victims from the car, said Horner.

The Geddis girls were in the backseat of the car when the accident occurred, and everyone in the car was wearing their seat belt, said Horner.

Kendra Geddis was due to soon enter sixth-grade at Crocker Middle School, where her sister was an eighth-grader.

Don Geddis, a Stanford graduate who worked in venture capital after cofounding an internet software company, was elected to the school board in 2013. Beyond his work as a public servant and entrepreneur, Geddis holds a black belt and practices at Gold Medal Martial Arts.

Herb Perez, founder of the gym and Foster City mayor, shared his sympathy for the Geddis family via email.

“We are heartbroken and devastated by the tragedy that has befallen the Geddis family. The parents consistently have served our combined communities and have worked hard their entire life to build a future for their children,” he said. “No individual or family should bear such a burden and not as a result of the hands of drunken selfish driver.”

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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