Investigators to review Walla Walla teacher’s ‘state of mind’ after fatal crash

An investigation into the death of Walla Walla High School drama teacher Brian Senter, who was struck by a pickup truck while walking alone Saturday night along the 1200 block of Reser Road, will include an examination of his state of mind.

At a vigil on Sunday, a family member told attendees that Senter may have suffered an erratic mood spell related to a reoccurring illness.

Walla Walla Public Schools officials placed him on administrative leave Friday, though officials would not disclose the reason.

Senter, 50, was walking on the pavement in the 1200 block of Reser Road about 10 p.m. when he was struck by a Ford Ranger pickup driven by Jim Kuntz, the Port of Walla Walla’s executive director.

The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Senter was “well into the roadway,” said Chief Operations Deputy Gerrod Martin.

He said the front of the truck hit Senter and there were no skid marks.

A preliminary investigation indicated Kuntz had not been drinking before the collision.

Martin said the investigation will include a “psychological autopsy,” which includes family interviews to help determine Senter’s state of mind.

About 350 people packed the Wa-Hi’s Performing Arts Auditorium for the Sunday vigil, led by his brother-in-law, the Rev. Daniel Reese of St. Silouan Orthodox Church.

Reese noted that days before his death, Senter had a reoccurring bout of a long-suffered illness.

“... One of those spells began to set in about three days ago. And Brian was having a lot of difficulty struggling with the day,” Reese said, standing on the stage where Senter had directed innovative high school musicals for more than a decade.

Reese said Senter awoke shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday in an erratic mood and left the house to take a walk.

“He had a set of headphones on listening to music,” Reese said. And he started walking down his street, South Wilbur, and turned and went on Reser Road,” Reese said.

Sheriff John Turner said in a news release Sunday that Senter was walking east in the 1200 block of the road, the same direction Kuntz was driving when the collision occurred.

Superintendent Bill Jordan said placing Senter on leave was not related to the fall drama production, Long Bridge Over Deep Water, and would not be made public as a matter of personnel policy.

“Brian Senter was deeply cared for and will be greatly missed by the school district and our entire community,” Jordan said.

“We are working closely with the Senter family, Walla Walla Public Schools staff and students as we begin the healing process resulting from this terrible accident.”

At the vigil, attendees were given the chance to publicly grieve and praise Senter, who was well known for being innovative, encouraging and passionate about his work and tough with his students.

“There was no one else like him, no other teacher who fought like he did, that connected with the students like he did,” said one former female student.

“And he cared for us. He took us all in. And he didn’t take our crap. And he didn’t put up with any nonsense. But he never failed us in that regard. And I am going to miss him a lot.”

Former student Cougar Henderson said Senter had changed his life for the better.

“Brian saw great things in everybody. He saw great things in me. And I am living a completely different life because of what he saw in me,” Henderson said.

“And for all of you who worked with Brian, continue to live up to what he saw in you and you will bring him so much glory.”

Senter received a master of fine arts from the University of Washington.

The Walla Walla School District hired him in 1999 to teach at the former Paine Alternative School.

He started teaching drama and English at Wa-Hi in 2003.

He also taught at Washington State Penitentiary, was a drama instructor for Seattle Children’s Theater, an associate drama instructor for University of Washington and a community theater actor.

This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Investigators to review Walla Walla teacher’s ‘state of mind’ after fatal crash."