The young woman killed in a tragic traffic collision at a Folsom light rail station last week was a beloved local dance instructor whose passion for teaching, creativity and connection touched countless others across the region.
She has been identified as Elinor Peace Steffy, a 22-year-old Sacramento resident who taught at the Hawkins School of the Performing Arts in Folsom and was traveling for work at the time of her death, according to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.
Steffy was waiting for a light rail train on Thursday, Jan. 22, when a vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into the station’s boarding area. Emergency responders confirmed she died at the scene.
At just 22, Steffy had already made a meaningful imprint on the community as an artist, educator and organizer who brought people together through creativity and compassion. Family members and friends described her as deeply giving and endlessly encouraging, often referring to her as “a true mover of love” for the way she unconditionally supported others and inspired those around her.
That sentiment is echoed in a memorial fundraiser launched by her family, which reflects on Steffy’s devotion to service and her ability to uplift everyone she encountered.
“We are raising funds in Elinor’s name to continue her legacy. We will be opening a non-profit organization to pursue these goals,” the family shared, noting that the planned organization will help provide dance education, master classes, workshops, and cultural exchange experiences for Sacramento youth.
In addition to her work in dance education, Steffy and her family also helped open and operate the locally owned restaurant Good Eats Sacramento, located near the Curtis Park neighborhood, further extending her presence in the community through small business and service.
The fatal collision occurred shortly before 3 p.m. at the intersection of Folsom Boulevard and Iron Point Road, where multiple 911 calls reported a vehicle leaving Folsom Boulevard, crossing the intersection and entering the light rail station parking area. According to emergency personnel, the vehicle struck a tree before continuing toward the boarding platform, where Steffy, who was reportedly waiting to board the train, was struck and killed.
Responding units from the Folsom Fire Department and Folsom Police Department arrived to find a Tesla precariously lodged onto the light rail platform structure. A second victim, the driver of the vehicle, sustained injuries and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Authorities confirmed the fatality was a bystander and not an occupant of the vehicle.
Light rail service through the area was shut down for several hours as emergency crews worked the scene and investigators documented the crash. Folsom Police said the incident remains under active investigation and no additional information has been released regarding the cause of the collision or whether drugs or alcohol were factors.
Details regarding memorial services will be shared by family members at a later time. Those wishing to contribute to the memorial fundraising effort in honor of Elinor Peace Steffy can do so online here.
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