California

Jogger Fatally Struck Identified as 17-Year-Old San Rafael High School Student

The family of a 17-year-old San Rafael High School student who was struck and killed by a vehicle while jogging last week asked the high school staff and students to honor their daughter by practicing the gratitude their daughter showed "for every moment and in all things."

San Rafael High School principal Glenn Dennis said the school was notified over the weekend that Aura Celeste Machado, a junior, had died. Police said Machado's parents decided to end life support after consulting with doctors.

School officials shared the family's message with students at school Monday and grief counselors were made available.

The teen was jogging west on the sidewalk of Point San Pedro Road in San Rafael around 7 p.m. on June 2 when she went into the road to avoid a fallen tree, San Rafael police said.

She was struck in the No. 2 lane by a westbound minivan and was taken to Marin General Hospital, where she was removed from life support.

The minivan driver, a 69-year-old San Rafael man, stopped and cooperated with the investigation, police said. He had consumed an alcoholic beverage but his blood-alcohol level was 0.02 percent, well below the 0.08 percent level considered legally intoxicated, police said.

"Some of you may remember Celeste for her laughter, others may remember her brightness or her beauty. We will remember her for all these things and more" her family said in the message.

Donations to the family may be sent to Josh Nagler, c/o Cats Paw Bookkeeping, 119 Laverne Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941.

School officials said students will be informed of a memorial service when plans are finalized.

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