Beloved art teacher Eugene dies in tragic head-on collision

EUGENE, Oregon — The Eugene community is mourning the loss of Amy Samson, a beloved art and pottery teacher at North Eugene High School, who died in a head-on collision Tuesday morning. The crash happened on the Northwest Expressway as Samson, 55, was on his way to work. Authorities confirmed she died at the scene, leaving students and staff in shock.

Miho Hosaka, a culinary arts teacher at North Eugene High School, expressed her grief over the loss of her longtime friend and colleague. “Things with social justice and racism…she was an ally. She was an advocate. She was there. And to stand up for others with so much grace,” Hosaka said.

Hosaka first met Samson in 1999 when she started working at the school. “I admired her so much. She was the teacher who came to work early and one of the last teachers to leave each day,” Hosaka said.

Samson had worked at several Eugene schools, including Academy of Arts and Technology, before returning to North Eugene about three years ago. Students transformed his old art classroom into a makeshift memorial to honor his memory.

Nain Muñoz, principal of North Eugene High School, said, “Amy is loved on this campus. Our staff and students really loved him. will crush our staff and students. The Eugene School District is providing additional mental health counselors to help students and staff cope with this tragic loss.

The head coach of the North Eugene football team said the team dedicated its Tuesday practice to Samson. “When she spoke to you, you felt like you were the most important person in the room or in the neighborhood. You can imagine how the children feel. It’s a great loss for our community,” said l ‘coach.

Samson was also a mother and involved with the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol Youth.

Authorities identified the driver of the Chevrolet Trailblazer that collided with Samson’s minivan as Daniel Eugene Pina, 37, of Eugene. They suspect he may have suffered a medical issue that led to the accident. Pina and a passenger in her vehicle were taken to the hospital, where Pina later died. The passenger’s condition remains unknown.