A Roy crossing guard, Kate McLean, remains hospitalized a week after she was struck by a vehicle while on duty at the intersection of 4300 West and 5500 South. McLean sustained severe injuries, including seven broken bones, and described being airborne during the incident. She now faces months of in-patient rehabilitation following the crash.
McLean, who has served as a crossing guard at this specific location for a couple of years, recounted the moments leading up to the accident. She stated she was standing on the sidewalk, on the clock and performing her job responsibilities, when the incident occurred. McLean did not directly see how the car hit her, only recalling that it struck her at the corner. She remembers her friend and fellow crossing guard, Lilly Shearer, calling her name. McLean turned to see a large vehicle heading straight for her, without sufficient time to react.
As of Saturday, McLean is unable to move her right arm or both legs. This prolonged recovery presents significant challenges for her and her family. McLean is a mother of four children and two stepchildren, including a 13-month-old daughter. She expressed the profound difficulty of being separated from her youngest child for nine days, noting it as the hardest aspect of her hospitalization. Despite her extensive injuries, she also shared her gratitude for being alive and for the fact that no children were hurt in the crash. The identity of the driver involved in the incident has not been publicly released, nor has it been confirmed whether any charges will be filed.
Lilly Shearer, who has worked alongside McLean as a crossing guard at the same intersection for three years, described her colleague as a dedicated and compassionate person who consistently assists others. Shearer has observed a trend of increasing aggression from drivers at the intersection, which she states is a busy thoroughfare. She advocates for designating the area as a school zone to enforce lower speed limits and suggests the installation of dedicated turn lights. Shearer believes dedicated turn lights would mitigate the problem of drivers attempting to rush through yellow signals.
Both McLean and Shearer underscore the critical role of driver responsibility in ensuring pedestrian safety, particularly around crosswalks. Shearer urged drivers to "just slow down" when they observe a crosswalk, crossing guards, and children, even if the area is not formally designated as a school zone. McLean echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for drivers to be more attentive, aware, and to reduce their speed. She highlighted that even her position on the sidewalk, outside of the crosswalk, proved unsafe in this instance.
A support page has been established to assist McLean and her family with expenses during her hospitalization and ongoing recovery. Donations will help the family navigate the financial strain resulting from the accident.