Teen hospitalized after being struck walking to school in Fairfax County
Calls to restore Fairfax County high school crossing guards after student struck
Fairfax County school leaders are calling for high school crossing guards to be reinstated after a student was struck by a car.
RESTON, Va. - A 16‑year‑old student walking to school Tuesday morning was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle, police said.
What we know:
The incident happened around 7:54 a.m. at South Lakes High School in Reston.
Police said the boy was not in a crosswalk and was not at a location that has ever had a crossing guard. He was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
The driver remained at the scene and was charged with failure to stop before entering a highway.
Teen hospitalized after being struck walking to school in Fairfax County (Credit: Melanie Meren)
The student is expected to be okay.
Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid spoke with the student and his family on Tuesday.
"I did have the opportunity to speak with the young man and his mother while they were at the hospital, and they're grateful for all the support and grateful that it wasn't more serious," Dr. Reid said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Crossing guards eliminated
The incident comes after crossing guards were eliminated from all Fairfax County public high schools to cut costs. The decision, made last spring, reportedly saved the county nearly $2 million in police staffing costs.
READ MORE | Fairfax County crossing guard cuts prompt safety concerns as students return to school
Hunter Mill District School Board Member Melanie Meren was among the witnesses who saw the incident Tuesday. Witnesses told FOX 5 that the student went airborne after being struck.
"My reaction was not surprised but, of course, it was horror seeing a student lying on the ground after being hit by a vehicle," Meren said. "And I'm not the only one who saw it this morning, the kids saw it."
Lawmakers, including Supervisor Walter Alcorn and School Board Member Kyle McDaniel, have since come forward demanding that funds be restored for crossing guards at high schools with risky intersections.
Dr. Reid also believes crossing guards can be restored to some high schools.
"We do have a number of those risky intersections in Fairfax County and a lot of traffic...," Dr. Reid said. "I have been in contact with our county executive and law enforcement, and I'm confident we have the same interests in student safety, and we'll be able to resolve the situation very soon."
FOX 5 DC has reached out to the Reston Association's Board of Directors and is awaiting a response.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Fairfax County Police Department.