SPRING HILL, Fla. — The man accused of hitting two school crossing guards with a car Wednesday afternoon in Hernando County claimed he wasn't driving, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said in an arrest report.
It all started just after 4 p.m. in the area of Northcliffe and Deltona boulevards in Spring Hill. According to FHP, the driver of a tan Ford Focus, identified as 54-year-old Robert Noack, was going southbound in the outside lane of Deltona Boulevard.
At the same time, the driver of a red Cadillac CTS was going west on Chase Street, which is controlled by a stop sign. The driver reportedly told troopers he tried to go across Deltona Boulevard but had to stop in the center median because it wasn't clear to continue directly across. Once in the median, the driver told troopers traffic stopped in the left lane and another driver waved him on. Despite not being able to clearly see the outside lane, the driver proceeded to move forward.
The front of the Cadillac then hit the left rear side of the Ford Focus. The collision caused the Cadillac to become disabled while facing southwest on the southwest corner of Deltona Boulevard and Chase Street.
The crash caused the Ford to rotate counterclockwise and stop, facing the wrong way. Troopers say Noack proceeded to drive the Ford in the wrong direction toward the intersection of Northcliffe Boulevard, where two crossing guards were standing in the center grass median.
According to FHP, the two crossing guards, identified as 82-year-old Don Jenkins and 52-year-old Nicholas Gallicchio, were wearing their uniforms and orange protective vests.
FHP says Noack reportedly drove partially onto the grass median, causing the right front of the Ford to hit Jenkins, sending him onto the hood and windshield before rolling off the car and knocking his head onto the asphalt, making him unconscious.
The right side of the Ford reportedly hit Gallicchio, causing him to roll alongside the car before being knocked to the ground.
Noack reportedly made a sharp left turn to the southwest corner of the intersection and went over the concrete drainage cover. This seriously damaged the Ford's undercarriage, causing oil to pour out of the car. The car finally stopped on the grass shoulder at the corner of Deltona Boulevard and Carthage Road.
Witnesses reportedly told troopers that Noack got out of the car and left the area on foot. A short time later, troopers found Noack walking on nearby Bay Street.
After being placed in custody, Noack reportedly admitted that he was in the car at the time of the crash but insisted he was a passenger, not the driver. Troopers said when asked about why witnesses only saw one person in the car, Noack said the passenger seat was reclined all the way back while he was in the car. He reportedly stated he let a friend drive, but only could remember the person's first name as Chris.
FHP noted the front passenger seat was fully upright when the car was found. A key to a Ford was also found in Noack's possession. Troopers said Noack also had a mark from a seatbelt across his chest that indicated he was in the driver's side.
"While speaking to Mr. Noack, he never asked about the victims of the crash," troopers said in the arrest report. "He never questioned the nature of anyone’s injuries and continued to say that he was not driving the vehicle."
Eventually, troopers said they contacted the owner of the Ford Focus. She reportedly told FHP that Noack "took my car and went to visit a friend. He finally called and said he crashed my car on Forest Oaks. I called him at 4:30 when he told me about the accident.”
Noack was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. He is currently charged with leaving the scene of a crash, failure to stop for a crash involving injuries, driving under the influence, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
Both crossing guards were rushed to the hospital for treatment. According to the Hernando Sheriff's Office, the crossing guard with minor injuries, Nicholas Gallachio, could be released from the hospital as early as Thursday. The condition of Mr. Jenkins, who was seriously injured, remains unclear.
10 Tampa Bay's Miguel Octavio spoke with neighbors. One nearby neighbor said the two crossing guards are warm and friendly men who do a great job looking after students. The neighbor added she hopes the two guards recover from their injuries.
"They're the best gentlemen ever," the neighbor said. "I'm sad. I'm very sad and I want to know that they're OK."
10 Tampa Bay's Hannah Dineen spoke with a parent and student Thursday afternoon as they were dropping balloons at the crash site which read "Get Well Soon."
"We were really sad. Everybody cried and then we were angry," said April Kelly, who has children who attend school in the area.
Kelly said her children were close with the crossing guards. "They are literally the beginning of our day and end of our day."
Kelly's daughter Annabell Saunders said she has a special relationship with 82-year-old Don Jenkins, who reminds her of her pop.
"I just feel really sad that somebody would do that to him," Annabell said. "He would always wave to us and wave to our dog. He would always put a smile on my face and make my day."
She said she will be thinking of him through his recovery.
"He was the best crossing guard that I could ever have in my life," Annabell added.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office employs 31 full-time crossing guards, which include Jenkins and Gallicchio.
"Their job is to keep our children safe, our most vulnerable resources, and they're in danger doing it," Hernando County Sheriff Public Information Officer Denise Moloney said. "We have to rely on people to do the right thing and not drink and drive and not be aggressive. Just be patient. If you don't want to slow down through a school zone, pick another route!"