By Patric Hedlund

A beloved member of the Frazier Mountain High School support staff was killed instantly on Friday, July 6 as she was driving away from work at the school about 3:50 p.m.

Sherry Pimentel, 54 drove her white 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier out of Falcon Way and crossed the intersection onto Peace Valley Road, directly into the path of an oncoming 2004 Toyota sports utility vehicle driven by Steven Benson, 23. He and passenger Alicia Marie Quick, 20 of Frazier Park were headed southbound toward Gorman when the crash occurred.

The impact caused both vehicles to travel in a southeasterly direction where they came to rest on their wheels within the center median area of Peace Valley Road.

Pimentel, the solo occupant of the Chevrolet, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Engine #77 emergency personnel. Fort Tejon Office California Highway Patrol investigating officer Ryan Patrick said in his preliminary report that drugs and alcohol are not suspected in this accident. It also appeared that Benson was within the speed limit and was not driving illegally, CHP investigators told The Mountain Enterprise photographer at the scene.

Steven Benson, a former member of the FMHS robotics team, is a 2007 graduate of the school where Pimentel had worked as a custodian for over 15 years. He complained of head pain. Passenger Alicia Quick, a 2010 graduate of FMHS, also knew Pimentel. She had abrasions to the right upper body due to the impact. Both refused medical transport and said they would seek their own medical aid.

Quick published Facebook dialogue with her friends two hours later, telling her friends she had been in a “horrible” accident, that her car was “totalled” and saying “my prayers go out to [the other driver’s] family.” She did not reveal Pimentel’s name, indicating concern that the family might have not yet been notified.

Steven Benson was offered an opportunity to comment for this news story. Alicia Quick’s father, Jerry Quick, answered on Benson’s behalf, saying, “I spoke with Steven; he agreed with my choice not to speak publicly at this time. Our only concern is for Sherry’s grieving family….”

Pimentel’s family has gathered from three states to pull together as a team to support each other and their father, Ramon Pimentel. The two had been married for 36 years. They moved to the Mountain Communities to raise their children in a healthy environment.

The children grew up here and went to local schools, family members told The Mountain Enterprise in a personal visit on Tuesday, July 10. They have arranged for a memorial celebration of life for Pimentel to be held at Frazier Mountain High School on Saturday, July 21. [See page 8 for the obituary and details of the memorial.]

Pimentel was widely known and loved in the community. Here is a note from the Frazier Mountain High School Cheerleading Team, sent in an email from cheer coach Jennifer Krawczyk:

“Sherry, You are deeply missed by all. You had the biggest heart, and your smile was always contagious. Your help and support with all of us was always greatly appreciated.

“We couldn’t have done our try-outs this year without you! Everyday, we think about you. You were such a great person, and your memory will forever be with us.

“The cheerleaders, past and present, want to thank you for absolutely everything you have done for us. You were one of our biggest supporters. There will never be another one like you. You are one of a kind. You always went above and beyond everyone’s expectations, and your dedication to the school, and to us kids, is always going to be something we will remember.

“You were the definition of Falcon Pride. We will always cherish that!”

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Memorial Obituary for Sherry Pimentel

May she rest in peace

June 18, 1958 – July 6, 2012

Sherry Lee Pimentel passed away far too young in a tragic accident July 6, in Lebec.

She was born to Myrle and Mary Milliron in Lynwood, CA on June 18, 1958. After finding the love of her life at a young age and marrying at 18, Sherry and Ramon Pimentel had their first child, José, about a year later.

The family lived in the San Fernando Valley area for about nine years, then moved to the Mountain Communities in 1988 when she became pregnant with their second child, Trisha. They wanted to get away from city life to raise their children in a better place for a better life.

Sherry loved her family life in the mountains. On her days off, she loved going to the movies with Ramon every week. It was their “date day.” She and her husband were inseparable—they did everything and went everywhere together.

She loved ocean cruises and traveling around the world. She was always planning and talking about the next place she and Ramon would be visiting.

Sherry’s second life, outside of family, was the local school district. Anytime there were special events, fundraisers, or any employee or student who needed help, she was there— no questions asked. She always went out of her way to make the school district better in any way she could. She tried to attend every sporting event and drama club play she could.

Sherry was extremely friendly with everyone. Sherry could strike up a conversation with anyone at any time. Everywhere she went, she was making new friends. She had no enemies and her family never heard anyone say anything bad about her since she was a little girl.

Sherry is preceded in death by her father Myrle Milliron, sister-in-law Martha De la Garza and Speedy, her beloved fox terrier-miniature pinscher.

She is survived by her husband Ramon Pimentel, son José and daughter Trisha, mother Mary Milliron, sister Rita Moore, granddaughter Sadie and too many friends to count.

Sherry will be missed by all, but definitely never forgotten. We love you mom!

A celebration of Sherry’s life will be held at Frazier Mountain High School on Saturday, July 21 at 11 a.m. with Frazier Mountain Community Church.

This is part of the July 13, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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