UPDATE: Former San Clemente Elementary School Teacher Dies after Being Struck by Alleged Drunk Driver

Los Angeles DA: Woman arrested in connection with collision that killed former San Clemente elementary school teacher had three prior DUI convictions 

Updated: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 

By Eric Heinz

Scott Clark, 55, a former teacher at Truman Benedict Elementary School in San Clemente, died on Tuesday night, Feb. 8, days after he was struck by a drunk driver while he was walking.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials are seeking witnesses to a traffic collision that took place Jan. 25 at about 6:20 p.m. on Niguel Road at Alicia Parkway in Laguna Niguel. The accident occurred between a driver of a BMW Mini Cooper and a Mercedes-Benz traveling toward the intersection of the accident. The vehicles collided with each other, and Clark, who was struck as a result of the collision while walking in the area, was transported to Mission Hospital with major injuries.

The driver of the Mini Cooper, suspected as Jamie Mulford, 34, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, in this case a vehicle, and felony driving under the influence. Mulford posted bail on her $300,000 bond shortly after her arrest.

Documents provided by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office  show Jamie Nicole Mulford was charged on July 2, 2012, with four counts: DUI causing injury, with two or more prior DUI convictions, driving intoxicated (over .08 percent blood alcohol content) causing injury, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving while having a .08 percent or higher blood alcohol.

“On Sept. 8, 2014, Mulford pleaded no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” officials from the DA’s office said. “The defendant also admitted that she was twice convicted of driving while having a .08 percent or higher blood alcohol. She was sentenced to 120 days in jail and five years of summary probation.”

In this case, Mulford was accused of striking a pedestrian who was walking in a lane on Interstate 10 on the early morning of June 17, 2010. The pedestrian died in the crash.

“However, our office (the LA District Attorney’s Office) could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim, who was walking on the freeway in the early morning hours, died as a result of Mulford driving under the influence of alcohol,” the officials said.

According to family accounts and people close to the victim, Clark died Tuesday night as a result of his injuries.

“It’s with an extremely heavy heart that I’m writing that Scott passed away this evening due to complications from his injuries,” Emily Clark posted on the family’s Caring Bridge website on Tuesday night. “We are so grateful for all of the love, support, and prayers we have gotten these last couple of weeks. We still need it all while we grieve and heal from this. Scott was the best husband, father, brother, son, teacher, and friend that anyone could ask for.”

Capistrano Unified School District officials said Clark was a teacher at Truman Benedict Elementary from 1998 to 2009. In the fall of 2009, he started at Laguna Niguel Elementary. He taught mostly fifth grade and a few years of fourth grade at Truman Benedict.

The Caring Bridge page for Clark stated he was also a triathlete in the midst of training for the Ironman Boulder in June.

“OCSD investigators are seeking witness information about the traffic collision including any information about the pedestrian and vehicles leading up to the incident,” a press release from the department stated, adding the incident is still under investigation.

The OCSD press release state Mulford’s first court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 27, but no evidence of her appearance is available on the Orange County Superior Court website as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Office at 949.425.1860 or the department commander at 714.647.7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling 1.855.TIP.OCCS (1.855.847.6227).

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Original article was published Wednesday, Feb. 8.