CSUN University News Clippings

Chicano studies prof Shirlene Soto killed in Kern County crash

(October 27, 2009)

Reported by: Jimena Martinez

A fatal accident in Kern County claims the lives of two Los Osos residents.

The California Highway Patrol said 62-year-old Shirlene Soto and her husband, 84-year-old Walter Elliott, were among the four people who died in a car crash on Highway 46 east of Highway 33 Friday morning.

The CHP said a man driving a Chevy on the eastbound lane tried to pass a tractor trailer, when he collided head-on with the vehicle Soto and Elliott were riding in.

They say Soto and Elliott died on impact.  The 25-year-old man driving the Chevy, and his one-year-old passenger were also killed on impact.  Another passenger in the Chevy suffered major injuries.

Family members said Soto and Elliott were both former Cal Poly professors.  Soto later worked for California State University Northridge, and Elliott worked for Rocketdyne.

A family member released a statement: “They were both extremely cheerful, energetic people who loved life, friends, and family.”

Publication: KSBY