Crossing Guard Critically Injured in Orange County
On the afternoon of Wednesday, January 8th, a crossing guard working for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was standing at the intersection of Avalon Road and West Colonial Drive in order to assist students from both the Tildenville Elementary School and the Lakeview Middle School in crossing the busy intersection while on their way home.
It was just before 3:30 when the crossing guard entered the roadway, their sign held up, in order to clear a path for children. It is believed that a red light was showing for drivers attempting to turn onto the road where the crossing guard was standing. While most of the cars who would need to travel through the crossing guard’s path stopped, it appears that at least one did not. Instead, the driver of this car failed to notice all the other stopped vehicles in front of it and crashed heavily into the rear of these cars. The force of this crash caused numerous vehicles to lurch forward. One of these vehicles was pushed in the direction of the crossing guard themselves, quickly coming to land on top of the guard.
Emergency response crews rushed to the scene shortly after the crash took place and began to tend to the injured individuals. It is believed that at least two people within cars suffered from injuries in the crash, although the reports indicated that these injuries were comparatively minor. The crossing guard, on the other hand, suffered from severe injuries. It is believed that they were rushed from the area to a nearby hospital in critical condition. At the time of this writing, the condition of this crossing guard is not known.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office continued their report by saying that the crossing guard in question has worked for the organization for nearly two years. They went on to underscore the value and importance of the crossing guards when it comes to ensuring the safety of children walking to and from school.
Sadly, the critical injury of the crossing guard described above was not the only incident of a crossing guard being struck by a car and injured in Orange County on Wednesday. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a second crossing guard working for the department was struck by a car along Moss Park Road, causing them to suffer minor injuries.
Both incidents remain under investigation.
Sources:
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
