Crossing guard known as a 'community fixture' injured after crash in Old North

Neighbours in London's Old North neighbourhood say they want to help and raise money for a crossing guard who was struck following a vehicle crash at her regular post at Colborne and St. James streets Tuesday morning.

The woman, who has not been identified, was hurt when the two vehicles collided at about 9 a.m. this morning when a black sedan was driven up onto the sidewalk.

The crossing guard, who neighbours describe as a "community fixture" at the intersection, was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Police say both drivers stayed at the scene. The collision is under investigation and there's no word yet on charges.

David Hallam doesn't know the crossing guard by name but he lives at the corner and said she's there on most school mornings, helping students cross the street in all weather.

"She's always here, I would say she's a community fixture no matter the weather," said Hallam. "She's very close with the kids who use the crossing. She's a very sweet person."

Teresa McLellan also lives near the corner and has written to London city council with concerns about frequent collisions there.

"Unfortunately it wasn't a surprise," she said. "Every few months we hear a big bang at that corner and run. [This morning] we ran out and we saw that the crossing guard had been hit. She wasn't on the road. She was wearing bright clothing."

McLellan said people in the neighbourhood are grateful for her service.

"This is practically volunteer work," said McLellan. "These people do it because they love children and they want to keep the community safe."

McLellan said there have been 20 collisions that she's aware of in her six years living near the intersection, including six with "major impact."

Although there's a pedestrian crosswalk on the south side of the intersection, traffic travelling north-south on Colborne doesn't have a stop sigh. Drivers travelling east-west on St. James are required to stop.

McLellan said she's written to city council about the intersection. About two years ago signs were installed informing drivers approaching the intersection on St. James that "Cross traffic does not stop."

Although it's not clear what caused Tuesday's collision, McLellan said drivers often assume it's a four-way stop.

"Either they will blow through or proceed thinking the other driver will stop and that doesn't happen," she said of east-west traffic.

McLellan said the signs should be supplemented with speed bumps or other ways to slow traffic down. She said there's already a discussion underway in the community about ways to help the injured crossing guard.

"The community is very concerned we appreciate the crossing guards and all they do and she didn't deserve that," said McLellan.