Second crossing guard added to spot where two middle schoolers were hit

January 22, 2019 6:00 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) – After two middle schoolers were hit by a car at a dangerous intersection in Fall River, the city is adding an extra crossing guard.

“It’s like the Indy 500. As far as kids being hit, I’m really surprised it hasn’t happened all that often,” said grandparent Dorothy Jackson.

A group of girls were crossing the busy intersection at Eastern Avenue and County Street with the help of a crossing guard, when a car blew through the crosswalk, striking a 12-year-old and 13-year-old.

The girls were on their way to Talbot Middle School. Their injuries were non-life threatening.

“I was passing by when the car was stopped, and I said ‘oh my god it looks like somebody got hit.'”

Maribel Santiago’s daughter is in the same class as one of the victims. She was grateful when she saw the change.

“This morning I was so happy when I saw two crossing guards.”

She’s not alone. Parents we spoke to are all happy the city is putting their kids first.

“It’s safer. My son, he rides his bike and he crosses there every morning,” said parent Chris Goscinak.

Some think two is too much, and that drivers should just pay more attention.

“This should have never happened. One should be enough. The drivers should be a lot more careful because it’s not necessary, two people over there to watch the traffic,” said grandparent Jose Correia.

The driver who hit those students, 45-year-old Jose Montalvo, was cited for traffic violations.