Polk County, Florida - A Polk County crossing guard is hanging on for life this afternoon, after being run over in a crosswalk this morning. The accident happened at the intersection of Socrum Loop Road and Marcum Road.
10 News reporter Sarah Hagen dug deeper and tells us who the driver and victim are - and what happened. The victim was in this crosswalk, she had the right of way. The driver had a solid green light going but was turning left. He was obligated to yield. He hit her from behind and she had no time to jump out of the way. Sheriff Grady Judd says the accident hits eerily home for the teen driver.
"If this isn't tragic enough - his brother was killed on May 5th, Grant Hester was the teen driving the car, on Kathleen Road when a vehicle turned in front of the brother's motorcycle. He knows pain like this, and was exceptionally upset."
Although driving conditions looked normal in the afternoon, deputies say the dark, rainy conditions at 6:30 am were a factor. The teen was headed to high school. The 48 year old crossing guard, Wanda Lynn Rice was early for work as usual. People who saw her regularly say she had stopped into the HESS gas station – which was her normal routine. Heather Zimmerman said, "I am sad – I don't know what to think. when you know someone, even though I didn't know her know her - it is heartbreaking."
Witnesses say just last week Rice had a close call where she had to jump out of the way of a car.The Sheriff says that kind of thing happens all the time.
The school district released this statement: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Wanda Rice and her loved ones during this difficult time. Crossing guards and our law enforcement partners play a vital role in keeping our students safe so they can purse an education, and we very much appreciate their service."
