CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Chagrin Falls Schools Superintendent Bob Hunt confirmed in a statement on the district's website that Chagrin Falls residents Lenny and Lana May and Diane Kiffner were killed in a car accident in Bradenton, Fla. at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Diane Kiffner's husband, Paul, remains in Blake Medical Center with serious injuries.
The Mays leave behind their children Scott, Chris, Patrick and Jennifer.
Lenny May was multi-faceted, influencing Chagrin Falls students as an English teacher, baseball and football coach and as the school's athletic director.
His wife, Lana, was also an educator, retired as an elementary school teacher in Mentor in Lake County.
Diane, 67, and Paul Kiffner, 69, saw their four children -- Kent Kirk, Kyle and Courtney -- graduate from Chagrin Falls High School.
Paul Kiffner also served many years on the Chagrin Falls school board.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash involved a tow truck and a Chevy Traverse SUV. The Traverse was headed north in the outside lane while the tow truck was headed in the same direction in the center lane.
The tow truck moved into the outside lane, striking the Chevy, which then spun and overturned, according to troopers.
The Mays were ejected as the vehicle overturned. The tow truck went off the highway and struck a tree and a fence. The truck driver, 53, suffered minor injuries.
Here is what Hunt posted Friday:
"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we inform you that we have lost one of our own, Lenny May. We have been notified that Lenny and his wife, Lana, were killed in a car accident at approximately 9:00 P.M. in Bradenton, Florida. It has also been reported to the district that former Chagrin Falls resident Diane Kiffner passed away this morning, while former Chagrin Falls School Board Member and current volunteer football coach, Paul Kiffner is in Blake Medical Center with serious injuries.
Lenny May was an esteemed English teacher, coach and athletic director at Chagrin Falls High School. He served as the English Department Chairperson and was known for his passion for teaching and working with his colleagues. Lenny also was the leader of the Tiger Times, the school newspaper. In 1987, Lenny May was recognized as the Chagrin Falls Teacher of the Year. Following his illustrious teaching and coaching career, Lenny served as the district athletic director for 12 years. Under his tenure, the athletic program grew to offering 24 varsity teams. Four teams won state championships and three were state runners-up. As much success and growth that occurred on the athletic field under his tenure, Lenny’s focus and priority remained on the development of the “student” in student-athlete. He, along with his wife, Lana, who served as an elementary teacher in Mentor Schools, dramatically impacted young people throughout their careers.
This morning, we did inform district staff members of this situation as well as provide necessary support. The district will communicate arrangement information as it becomes available. Our thoughts and prayers are with the May and Kiffner families."
