Teacher Killed in Crash Mourned

Students and colleagues Friday mourned a music teacher known for his flashy red high-top sneakers and exuberant style.

Benjamin Oliver, 26, of Port Hueneme died after his Toyota Corolla crossed the center line and struck a Ford Explorer about 9:45 p.m. Thursday on California 118 near Hitch Boulevard, west of Moorpark.

He died from chest and abdominal injuries about an hour later at Simi Adventist Hospital, according to a Ventura County deputy coroner.

The driver of the Explorer, John Hellendoorn, 52, of Simi Valley, was uninjured.

California Highway Patrol officers said Oliver was alone in the car, and they are uncertain why he may have lost control. There was no evidence that alcohol was involved, authorities said.

“It’s possible he may have dozed off, we don’t know,” CHP Officer Dave Cockrill said.

Students, fellow teachers and Oliver’s students remember him as a shy yet energetic person who loved music.

He had taught part time this year at two schools in the Oxnard Union High School District. He taught guitar and personal development at Rio Mesa High School in the morning and choir at Oxnard High School in the afternoon.

Last year Oliver taught band and personal development at Hueneme High School, filling in for a music teacher on sabbatical.

“He had a lot of potential and really cared about the students,” said Denise Stiles, a junior who last year played trombone in Oliver’s band.

“He really made things fun and was outgoing--he wasn’t reserved like the other teachers,” Denise said. “He always tried to get everyone pepped up and if you were sad, he’d try to make you feel better.”

Denise said her favorite memory of Oliver is from a football game last fall when he dressed up like John Travolta for the “Greased Lightning” theme and danced and sang along with the band.

“He was so young, it’s so hard,” Denise said, holding back tears. “It was so quick. He didn’t have time to live or time to teach even. It was all over before it started.”

“He was a very fine young man and had a very bright, promising future in music,” agreed Daisy Tatum, principal of Oxnard High School.

“I told him I was so happy that we got him here because he was such a great motivator of students and that band at Hueneme just loved him,” Tatum said. “For being here such a short period of time, he really made his presence felt.”

Tatum, peer grief counselors and the school nurse spent the afternoon consoling grieving students.

“They needed to decide what to do to make them feel better,” she said. “Some will write letters to give to the parents, and if we have a service near here, the choir would like to participate by singing. They also decided to dedicate their choir concert to him in April.”

A crisis management team was also called in at Rio Mesa High School on Friday morning.

“The students were upset, concerned, very, very shocked,” Principal Barry Barowitz said.

Barowitz said Oliver’s love for music was evident to all who had contact with him.

“It will be a very big loss to our campus and our students,” he said. “Being a very accomplished guitarist made him a very effective teacher.”

Students and teachers at Hueneme High School decided Friday to start a music scholarship in memory of Oliver. By Friday afternoon they had collected $100 from teachers.

“He’d always show up with those goofy red high-top sneakers and Mork suspenders,” said Nanci Burkhart, chairwoman of the consumer and family science department.

“He was quiet, shy, but I remember seeing him at the rallies and the kids would play upbeat songs and he’d dance around,” said Burkhart, who helped organize the scholarship drive. “He had this alter ego that would crop up when he was doing his music.”

“Something like this is hard for all of us, but it’s particularly hard for the kids,” Burkhart said. “He had such sparkle and energy and a kindness about him. It’s hard to think about all the kids he won’t be able to teach.”