OREM, Utah -- An 80-year old crossing guard was hit by a car Wednesday, and Thursday he was able to come home from the hospital.
The crosswalk in front of Orchard Elementary in Orem isn't the same without Jerry T. Smith helping the kids cross the street. And he said he's missing the kids as much as they're missing him.
"I'd go back right now if I could," Smith said.
Jerry is suffering from neck, back and leg injuries after he was hit by the driver of a van Wednesday morning while in a school crosswalk. He rolled into the windshield and landed on the road.
"I'll tell ya what happened, I looked down the street, all the lights were on, I saw the car down there but he was way down so I went out in the street put the sign up and a little girl was going to start crossing and the next thing I knew I was hit and I don't remember anything other than that until I got in the ambulance," Smith said.
For the past five years, Jerry has dedicated much of his time to getting children across the road safely.
"That's a very dangerous street,” he said. “They're coming down at 30 to 40 mph. It's really dangerous," Smith said.
But he never imagined something like this would happen. The driver of the green van that hit him was cited for failing to yield at a crosswalk, driving without insurance and afterward his car was impounded.
"I'm upset because he didn't have insurance and he drove away, and it's a little bit discouraging to have people like that on the road," Smith said.
The school and nearby neighbors have written cards and get well notes to help show Smith they are grateful for all he does.
"It made me cry; I was very pleased," Smith said. "If I could go back right now I would."
Jerry says he doesn't know when he'll get to go back, but he has to wear the neck brace for eight weeks and isn't sure when his leg will be healed. But he wants to remind everyone to slow down and drive safe in school crossings.
