2 teachers from same school killed in separate Kings County crashes

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Vibrant, loving, and involved in their communities, that is how loved ones and colleagues describe 53-year-old Despina Gamble and 65-year-olds Kenny Conley and his wife, Leslie Conley.

All three tragically died in two separate crashes in Kings County during the last week of school.

Despina and Leslie were both educators at Mark Twain Elementary School in Corcoran.

"It's been really hard for everyone. They were both well-loved teachers. It was really difficult to lose both of them, especially in such a short period of time," expresses Stacy Brockie, the principal at Mark Twain Elementary School.

Investigators say Mrs. Gamble died in a single-vehicle crash last Monday on State Route 41 near Nevada Avenue.

The vehicle went into a canal, and according to witnesses, Gamble managed to get out before it sank.

"So it looked like they submerged, and possibly drowned, which was the cause of the fatality," explains Officer Hector Carias, with the California Highway Patrol.

That same Friday, investigators say Kenny and Leslie Conley were on a motorcycle ride when they were hit by a truck.

They believe the Ram was attempting to pass a semi hauling a trailer.

"The truck then attempted to overtake, it looks like, directly into the path of the motorcycle," says Officer Carias.

Mrs. Gamble, a 4th and 5th-grade teacher, had been at Mark Twain Elementary School for more than 13 years.

Mrs. Conley was going on 38 years at the school site.

She had been a teacher at the school and later transitioned into teaching reading and writing in small focus groups on campus.

Family shared that she also taught Catechism at her church.

Their work in education leaves an impact both on and off campus...

"She was a wonderful person and just a sweet person and she loved working with kids," expresses Frankie Gamble, Mrs. Gamble's Husband.

Laurenzo Sweatt, a Parent of Mrs. Conley's Student, shares that both teachers were eager to help students and mentions, "They are both going to be missed."

The Gamble family has set up a GoFundMe page.

At this time, the Conley family does not have any ongoing fundraisers for Kenny and Leslie.

The Conley's leave behind three children and five grandkids.

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