Family, friends and students are mourning the loss of a popular East Central ISD teacher.
On Thursday, 39-year-old Whitney Weddel was killed in a head-on crash with a wrong-way driver.
Jasmine Martinez, a former student of Weddel, said she was more than a teacher, she was like a mother. Martinez said Weddel motivated, pushed and encouraged her students.
Martinez said Weddel made learning fun, loved teaching and had a genuine passion about the medical field. At East Central ISD, Weddel was a health science teacher.
In 2022, KENS 5 highlighted Weddel's passion for teaching, where she said it was her calling.
"I love what I do. Like I can't picture doing anything but teaching," said Weddel.
Martinez said Weddel impacted her in so many ways, and anyone who has ever come across her would know how special she was. Martinez said her former teacher could light up any room.
It was on Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m., when that light was dimmed after the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said 35-year-old Giovanna Blangiardo was driving on the wrong side of Potranco, and hit Weddel head-on.
Weddel was rushed to the hospital, where she later died.
According to East Central ISD, Weddel was a graduate and teacher with the district. ECISD officials released the following statement:
"Whitney Weddel was an East Central High School graduate and, after that, an exceptional teacher in our district. She was beloved by her students and admired by her colleagues. Whitney's impact was far-reaching and will continue for generations to come as she has dozens of former students working as healthcare professionals across our city and beyond. ECISD is grateful for her impeccable service and is deeply saddened by her passing."
Martinez said she will continue to be encouraged by Weddel's life, and the passion she lived by. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that community members donate to a scholarship created in her name at this link.
Blangiardo posted bail on a $250,000 bond and was released Friday. She's due in court March 13.