A crossing guard in Las Vegas is being called a hero after dramatically shielding a mother and her two children from a speeding car on August 26. The incident occurred in a school zone near Pinecrest Academy St. Rose.
Dashcam video captured the moment crossing guard Richard Jones, employed by All City Management Services, leaped into the path of an approaching vehicle and brought it to a sudden stop. The car was reportedly traveling at approximately 35 mph in a 15 mph school zone.
Kae’la Leon Guerrero, the mother, was with her 5-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son in a crosswalk when the car sped towards them. "From a distance, we saw a car coming, but not knowing that he was speeding towards us," Guerrero told Fox5. "If that cross guard didn’t jump in front of that car, something bad would have definitely happened."
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after the close call, leaving Guerrero's children shaken.
Jones, who has been a crossing guard for some time, humbly responded to the praise, stating, "Honestly I just try to do the job the best way I can." Onlookers who witnessed the event could be heard yelling "Hey Richard you’re a hero!" as he was interviewed.
In recognition of his courageous actions, Guerrero's son presented Jones with a care package that included restaurant gift certificates, a handwritten thank-you note, and a neck fan. Guerrero expressed her gratitude, saying, "I don’t know how many times I said thank you for what happened yesterday, but he’s an amazing man. And my kids thank him every day actually."