Alameda County teacher, mother killed in Bodega Bay car plunge

The two women killed after their car plunged off the edge of a Bodega Bay cliff were identified Monday as an Alameda County teacher and her mother, authorities said.

Maria Teixeira, 64, and Elizabeth Correia, 41, both of Dublin, were killed in the accident about 11 a.m. Saturday. Correia was a firstgrade teacher at Lydiksen Elementary School, officials with the Pleasanton Unified School District said Monday.

“Our hearts go out to Elizabeth Correia’s family and our Lydiksen community,” school spokesperson Patrick Gannon said in a statement.

“Elizabeth touched the lives of many of her students and colleagues. We will have support and counseling services available when school resumes next Monday.”

The school is on spring break this week. Correia’s school biography described her as a Pleasanton native who enjoyed “teaching, reading, music, art, movies, Disneyland and spending time with friends and family.” She had been teaching in Pleasanton for more than 15 years.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Authorities said the car, a Toyota Rav4, was driving westbound in the West Bodega Head parking lot when it hit a log barrier at the perimeter. The car fell about 100 feet down the cliff.

Authorities did not say who was driving the car. CHP said “it does not appear the Toyota was speeding or driving unsafely prior to the collision.”

“Elizabeth touched the lives of many of her students and colleagues.”

Patrick Gannon, spokesman for the Pleasanton school district, on Elizabeth Correia, a firstgrade teacher