Stepping into oncoming traffic with little more than a stop sign, school crossing guards face a job more dangerous than their essential duty suggests. 25 Investigates partnered with its sister stations in 7 states and the Associated Press (AP) to expose the high risks and a pattern of minimal penalties for the drivers who strike them.
The investigation found that more than 225 school crossing guards have been hit or killed on the job nationwide in the last decade, and most drivers faced no serious charges, with dozens not even receiving a traffic ticket. At least 32 of the incidents were fatal, and at least three dozen were hit-and-runs, with some drivers never being found.
In Massachusetts alone, state data and media reports show that since 2012, at least 47 school crossing guards have been struck by vehicles. These crashes have resulted in three deaths and left others with debilitating injuries. The most serious penalty 25 Investigates could find for a driver was home confinement…