The driver of a vehicle struck and injured a crossing guard Friday, according to Bloomington Police Department Lt. John Kovach.
Pulsepoint (an app showing some emergency calls) shows emergency services being dispatched to Summit Elementary School at 8:52 a.m. Friday. Kovach said the location of the collision was W. Countryside Ln. and S. Sunflower Dr.
The driver remained at the scene of the collision and later told police that he did not see the crossing guard, according to Kovach.
“The crossing guard was conscious and alert but was transported to IU Health with a cut to the head,” said Kovach.
The following message was later sent to parents:
“Summit Families,
This morning we had an incident at drop off that was quite scary for everyone in the Summit Family. We understand how traumatic this was for not only our students but also those adults that were dropping their students off. We would like you to know that our crossing guard is being treated and is doing well currently.
We have extra staff and social workers available for any of our students or staff that need extra support at this time. As a leadership team we have directed our teachers to do consistent check-ins with our students to ensure their own emotional well being is okay.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at school.
Thank you and have a great day.
Ms Douglas and Mr. Abel”
Later this statement was sent to parents …
“Summit Families,
As many of you may be aware, Friday morning during drop-off, Summit’s crossing guard was hit accidentally by an automobile. He was tended to by many of our parents and staff before emergency personnel arrived. He was then transported via ambulance to Bloomington Hospital. He has since been released to home, where he is resting comfortably.
We understand how upsetting this was to the number of families, staff and students that witnessed this accident. As a leadership team, we are working tirelessly to improve the drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure the safety of everyone. One way that everyone can help is to be mindful of cars and children that are around you, as well as using caution as you enter and exit our campus. We continue to ask everyone to be patient when dropping their students off or picking them up. We are working our hardest to get every single car through the line in the fastest and safest manner possible.
We know that many of you need to get to work and other commitments during this time and we recognize that. However we need to make sure that we are following the traffic procedures while in the school zone to ensure the safety of everyone. We are actively meeting with our safety officers and working with law enforcement to improve the safety of drop-off and pick up procedures.
Thank you for your support in helping make all of our Summit Families safe.”
