|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The community is mourning the death of Dylan Taylor, a well-known paraeducator and athletics coach to Menlo Park and Atherton students. After a fatal collision with a GreenWaste truck on Middlefield Road killed Taylor on May 7, schools have been sharing messages of support for those dealing with the loss.
Taylor, who was riding a bicycle at the time of the collision, worked as a paraeducator for Menlo Park City and Las Lomitas Elementary school districts. He also coached Hillview Middle School students for flag football, track and field, and basketball and was the freshman football coach for Menlo-Atherton High School.
Aside from being an educator and coach, Taylor was viewed as a community leader and mentor.
MPCSD Superintendent Kristen Gracia said she had the pleasure of being Taylor’s first grade teacher over 20 years ago. She remembers him as “a ball of energy,” enthusiastic and always with a smile on this face — which all remained true into his adulthood.
“I remember him giving hugs and wanting to be with his classmates and with his teachers — right there in the mix,” said Gracia. “It makes sense to me that he was so well connected in the community.”
Nick Fogel, a P.E. teacher at Hillview Middle School, said Taylor had a special way of connecting with his students. He was known for giving each kid a nickname and adding a personal touch to the relationship he built with each and every student, he said.
“He was a unique guy himself and he had the ability to see that uniqueness in other kids,” Fogel added. “Dylan had a way about him where he could connect to so many different personalities, relate to them and bring the best out of them.”
Behind Encinal Elementary School, a roadside memorial on the corner of Prior Lane in Atherton has bloomed in honor of Taylor with bouquets of flowers, photos and a white bicycle, serving as a symbol for the tragedy that took place. Messages on the photos read “More than a coach” and “We love you Dylan!”
In the days after his passing, Las Lomitas Elementary School District, Menlo Park City School District and Menlo-Atherton High School shared a message with parents informing them about Taylor’s death. School administrators have offered additional counseling support available to students as well as resources on comforting grieving children.
To enhance safety, the Atherton Police Department announced it will have more enforcement efforts along Middlefield Road and will be conducting additional education around bicycle, pedestrian and driver safety.
Authorities are continuing the investigation into the deadly crash. Police say the driver of the garbage truck was cooperative and they do not think that drugs or alcohol were factors in the incident. At this time, the driver has not been arrested, said Atherton Police Commander Dan Larsen.
“GreenWaste is aware of the incident that occurred in Atherton involving one of our drivers. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” said Patrick Harbison, spokesperson for GreenWaste, a waste removal company with a contract to operate in Atherton. “The safety of the community and our team members is central to GreenWaste’s values, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they continue their investigation.”
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 in the Sequoia Room at the Arrillaga Recreation Center, 700 Alma St., Menlo Park. Taylor’s family asks for the community to consider donating to the Reikes Center in Redwood City in Dylan’s name in lieu of flowers.
‘The end of an era’: After 36 years in Palo Alto, Il Fornaio prepares to closeJanuary 13, 2026 2:05 pm
LA’s iconic 73-year-old doughnut shop is soon opening its first Bay Area locationJanuary 14, 2026 1:19 pm
It wasn’t a collision. He was struck while riding in the bike lane and he had the right of way. Why do so many of these articles attempt to vindicate the irresponsible driver of a 3000+ lb vehicle vs a 200 lb cyclist.