MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden crossing guard was struck and killed by a driver on Broad Street on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, while on his post near Israel Putnam Elementary School, police said. The crash happened just before 9 a.m. near 391 Broad St., at the Olive Street intersection, and the driver stayed at the scene.
The Guard Died at the Hospital
Police got a call at about 8:54 a.m. reporting that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian, NBC Connecticut reported. Firefighters and other emergency crews began life-saving measures, and the guard was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released his name. A GoFundMe page set up for his family describes him as a father and grandfather, and NBC Connecticut reported that he had started as a Meriden crossing guard in August.
That stretch of Broad Street has traffic lights, a crosswalk and signals, and a crossing guard works the corner each morning and afternoon to help children get to Israel Putnam Elementary, WFSB reported. Police said they are looking into how the crash happened. The driver's car had a shattered windshield, the station reported.
Mayor Kevin M. Scarpati said the news of the crash shocked him. He called the man a valued school crossing guard who helped children make their daily trip to school, and said no children were present at the time.
"The Meriden Police Department is devastated by this loss of one of our Crossing Guards," the department said. Meriden Public Schools called the death "an awful tragedy" and said students and families "will miss his friendly smile and positive approach, which was an important and welcome part of keeping them safe every day."
Investigators Look Into the Crash; Schools Offered Counseling
The Meriden Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating, and Connecticut's Occupational Health and Safety Division is also looking into how the crash happened, WFSB reported. Broad Street was closed between Olive and Charles streets during the investigation, and WTNH later reported that it had reopened. Police have not identified the driver or said whether charges will be filed, NBC Connecticut reported. The station found 22 crashes involving pedestrians on Broad Street in state crash records since 2021.
Meriden Public Schools offered counseling to students, families and staff on Thursday, Oct. 15, WTNH reported. Anyone who saw the crash or has dash camera video is asked to call Meriden police at 203-630-6201.
On Thursday morning, two crossing guards stood at the intersection to honor him and to be seen by drivers, WFSB reported. A vigil is being planned, according to Meriden Kids Walk Safe, a Safe Routes to School program; no date has been announced.