Son of injured crossing guard says enough is enough
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Images of a Garner crossing guard struck by a car are tough for Jordan Hawkins to watch. That's because it's his mom."
A lot of the kids really count on her to help them cross the road safely and so do the parents," said Hawkins.
Hawkins says his mother Tammy underwent emergency surgery to remove her spleen. The impact of the crash also broke her ankle and fractured her leg.
"We're hoping for the best," said Hawkins adding that his family is holding out hope for a speedy recovery.
Garner police say Hawkins was safely escorting children when a white mini-van rear-ended a blue car which then struck her.
The driver of the blue car, 62-year-old Kathryn Truelove, was taken to WakeMed Garner with minor injuries. The van driver, 26-year-old Aaron Vincent, was visibly shaken, but did not suffer any injuries. Vincent was cited for failing to slow down.
It's the latest school bus stop crash in recent weeks. Hawkins' son says he's fed up.
"Enough is enough. I don't' know when it's going to end. Too many people are texting and driving and obviously not paying attention," said Hawkins.
Lt. Jeff Gordon with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol says a recent one-day study found more than 3,000 drivers statewide failed to stop or slow down for school buses.
"We have experienced a lot of tragedies recently within the Wake County area and across the state because people aren't paying attention to school buses," explained Gordon.
Hawkins has served as a crossing guard for eight years. It's a job her son says she's loves but may be afraid to continue.
"Something needs to change. Too many innocent people are getting hit and injured," he added.
