80-year-old Crossing Guard Killed After Being Hit By Car While Helping Kids Cross Street In New Jersey

An 80-year-old crossing defender who neighbors opportunity devoted years to protecting children was killed Monday aft she was struck by an SUV while helping 2 students transverse a engaged New Jersey intersection, authorities said.

Witnesses told ABC7 that Jean Schultz pushed nan children retired of nan way of nan oncoming car moments earlier they were struck.

It happened astatine nan intersection of McBride and Lackawanna Avenues successful Woodland Park conscionable aft 3:30 p.m., according to nan Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Schultz, who lived successful Woodland Park, was rushed to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The 2 children, who are siblings, according to officials, were hospitalized pinch insignificant injuries. Authorities said they were not deed by nan conveyance but suffered insignificant injuries erstwhile they fell to nan ground.

Police said nan driver remained astatine nan scene. No charges person been announced arsenic nan investigation continues.

The calamity sent shockwaves done nan community, wherever residents described Schultz arsenic a beloved staple who took pridefulness successful keeping children safe.

“You know, we effort to prevention nan people, nan kids, but it’s very bad what happened,” chap crossing defender Franko Racanati told CBS News Tuesday.

“She loved nan job. She loved it, and it costs her her life. But she was conscionable a bully person. I can’t opportunity capable astir her,” neighbour David Holster told ABC7.

“She was a staple, a staple. It’s truthful unfortunate. Eighty years old, and to person to spell for illustration that,” resident Giuseppe Martucci added.

“She virtually put herself successful harm’s measurement to protect nan kids,” Marino Florio, different resident, said.

In a connection shared to Facebook, Woodland Park Mayor Tracy Kallert called Schultz’s decease a “heartbreaking loss.”

“Jean Schultz was a dedicated crossing defender who took awesome pridefulness successful keeping our children safe each day,” Kallert said. “We widen our heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and our crossing defender squad arsenic we mourn together.”

The politician later described Schultz arsenic “more than a crossing guard.”

“She was a agleam and reassuring beingness for generations of children and families,” Kallert said. “Jean was a benignant and gentle psyche who lit up each clip she saw nan kids coming, greeting them pinch a grin and ensuring their information each and each day.”

“Her compassion, warmth, and genuine emotion for nan children of Woodland Park near a lasting effect that will ne'er beryllium forgotten,” nan politician added.