A Polk County crossing guard is in critical condition Wednesday morning after being hit by a student in the crosswalk.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, at 6:23 am, the female guard had parked her bike on the east side of the intersection of Socrum Loop Road and Marcum Road and walked across to the Hess station. As she was returning from the store, she was crossing the road when signaled.
Halfway through the intersection, 16-year-old Grant Hester, driving a blue Ford Ranger, proceeded into the intersection on a solid green light. He told deputies he observed another vehicle coming the opposite direction toward him stop; thinking the driver had yielded to him, he accelerated and struck the crossing guard while she was still in the crosswalk.
The victim has been transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition. Deputies are attempting to make family notification.
This is an ongoing investigation.
