JAMESTOWN, NC (WFMY) - The Ragsdale High School community is mourning the death of assistant principal, Jean Ransom.
Ransom died Tuesday after her vehicle was hit head-on by another driver, Gregory Jason Pitti, 32, while traveling on US Highway 70 near NC Highway 61.
The Highway Patrol said Pitti’s vehicle crossed the center line and hit Ransom. Troopers said Pitti also died as a result of the crash. Investigators said they do not know why Pitti’s vehicle crossed the center line at this time but are still investigating.
The Ragsdale Boosters social media accounts mention Ransom's death in a Wednesday post, calling her "a strong and integral part of our Ragsdale family for many years."
GCS confirmed Ransom's death to WFMY News 2 Wednesday afternoon. Ransom had been with Guilford County Schools for more than 15 years.
Ragsdale principal Jim Gibson says Ransom's husband told him and he, in turn, had the difficult task of telling students and staff.
"When he said it, that she was killed in a car accident, it didn't even register. It was so out of the context of the things we would normally talk about and it didn't register at first and then came the realization that we had to tell people," said Gibson.
Gibson worked with Ransom for 5 years and said was an integral part of the school and embodied the Ragsdale spirit and pride.
"She was probably the backbone or the strongest thread in the fabric. She was the one that held everything together, very compassionate and willing to do everything she could to help a student or teacher," added Gibson.
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