A well-known crossing guard in Danvers, Massachusetts, was seriously injured Wednesday morning when she was struck by a vehicle while walking children across a busy street.
Police responded to the intersection of Poplar Street and Belgian Road at around 7:05 a.m. for what they described as a pedestrian incident.
When they arrived at the scene, a few blocks from Holten Richmond Middle School, authorities found the woman with serious injuries. She was transported to Beverly Hospital.
The driver remained on the scene, authorities said. A dark sedan with a shattered windshield was seen near where the incident occurred.
Nearby resident Bob Wilichoski said he believes he saw the same vehicle speeding down the street just moments before the crash.
"I'm not surprised because that car was moving. That car was flying," Wilichoski recalled. "I couldn't believe it. She was going that fast plus my grandson just left.
Seventh-grader Brenden Lahr said he was just about to start his walk to school when his longtime crossing guard was struck.
"I had walked out the door and I just saw her on the ground," Lahr said. "I couldn't stop thinking about it throughout the school day. I ended up coming home because I couldn't stop thinking about it."
A man who identified himself as the crossing guard’s brother told NBC10 Boston his sister is a 58-year-old Danvers resident.
The woman is well-known among residents of the area.
”I have five children. She’s been crossing them for years," Melissa Gray, a resident, told NBC10 Boston. "Rain, snow, sleet. She’s here crossing them.“
A school resource officer was called in to help students cross the road Wednesday afternoon.
"Even crossing with the police officers it's still scary because you don't know what's gonna happen if people are gonna stop or keep going," resident Brett Granger said.
So far, no charges have been filed against the driver and the crash remains under investigation.
