Cranford Crossing Guard Struck By Car While Crossing Student: PD

CRANFORD, NJ - A Cranford crossing guard was struck by vehicle while crossing a student to their elementary school Thursday morning, according to the Cranford Police Department.

According to authorities, at approximately 8:07 a.m. the Cranford Police Department responded to the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Blake Avenue for a reported motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

The preliminary investigation revealed a Cranford school crossing guard was struck in the crosswalk by a 2003 Cadillac being operated by an 86-year-old man from Union County, police said.

According to police, the school crossing guard had stopped traffic to cross a student walking to school when the accident occurred.

The guard, who was equipped with a traffic vest and “stop” paddle, suffered injuries from the crash and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation, police said.

The Cranford Police Department Traffic Bureau is investigating the incident and are pending at this time, police said.

Police noted the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Blake Avenue is a county road, directly in front of Walnut Avenue School.

The intersection is a dedicated school crossing post and is manned by a school guard. The Township of Cranford has added a flashing beacon light to the intersection to assist pedestrians and the school guard by alerting traffic of the upcoming crossing. In addition, the intersection also has and an in-street “Stop for Pedestrian” sign to increase the visibility of those crossing the street, police said.

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