‘Hero’: Maryland crossing guard hit while protecting student from car

NORTH EAST, Md. — A crossing guard in Maryland is being praised as a hero after she put her life at risk while pushing a middle school student out of the way of an oncoming car. The guard was hospitalized after being struck by the vehicle.

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Cpl. Annette Goodyear, a police officer who doubles as a crossing guard in Cecil County, was helping the student cross a street Friday at about 7:30 a.m. EST near North East Middle School, WRC-TV reported.

The rainy-day incident was caught on camera by a nearby school bus, according to WUSA-TV.

Goodyear can be seen stepping into the crosswalk to stop traffic while the student jogs across the street, the television station reported. A car then enters the crosswalk area, and Goodyear pushes the child out of the way as she is hit on her right side.

“It was strange. As I’m lying there I’m thinking to myself, ‘This actually did happen.’ I didn’t even know what to think about at that point,” Goodyear, who has been a crossing guard for 14 years, told WTTG-TV. “It didn’t seem real as it was happening.

“For me, I’m a parent as well, and it’s like I just want to make sure all these children are safe, and it didn’t matter if I was struck or not.”

The student got up from the road and went to Goodyear’s side as people nearby rushed to help, WRC reported. Goodyear was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries and was later discharged, WJZ-TV reported.

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Cecil County Executive Danielle Hernberger shared the video on her Facebook page on Friday.

“Gratitude and prayers to Corporal Annette Goodyear from the North East Police Department for her heroism in saving this NEMS student this morning,” Hernberger wrote. “I just spoke with Mayor (Michael) Kline. The town of North East is already working on commendations for her bravery and swift action.”

According to WUSA, the driver of the car was cited for several traffic violations, including negligent driving, by the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re just extremely proud of her actions,” Cpl. John Fakner of the North East Police Department told WJZ. “It was a split-second reaction that saved a child from potential injury. A job well done.”

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