(Updated with statement from Solicitor on the reason no charges were filed)
Fort Mill police say they will not charge the driver of a vehicle that hit and killed school crossing guard Stanley Brucker.
Brucker was struck on the afternoon of March 21 while working outside Fort Mill Elementary School.
“As the incident ultimately resulted in a fatality and after a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Fort Mill Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol, it was determined that no criminal charges would be brought against the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident,” Capt. Steven Bivins said in a press release Wednesday evening.
The police department has not given any details on the driver or what may have led to the fatal accident, saying the accident report must be obtained through the S.C. Department of Public Safety. DPS officials have not yet answered a request for the report.
But Senior Solicitor Leslie Robinson sent out this statement from the 16th Solicitor’s Office to explain what happened after they reviewed a video taken from a school bus camera. (Full statement at bottom.)
“Video footage of the incident provided a clear depiction of what occurred. The video shows Mr. Brucker standing in the median in the middle of Springfield Pkwy, with a hand-held stop sign, directing traffic. He was not escorting children across the road. He was turned sideways in the roadway, facing the direction of the school and the school bus, which was preparing to turn onto Springfield Pkwy from the school. The hand-held stop sign was facing the school bus, not towards approaching vehicles on Springfield Pkwy. Seconds prior to the collision, Mr. Brucker stepped into the lane of travel closest to the school, and into the path of the approaching vehicle that struck him. Mr. Brucker did not display the stop sign toward the approaching driver, nor did he look in that direction prior to stepping into the roadway.
“There is no indication that the driver of the vehicle was driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. FMPD concluded that she was not at fault in causing the wreck.
“Regrettably, this is a tragic accident for both Mr. Brucker and the driver of the vehicle. We extend our condolences to all who have been impacted by this event.”
Meanwhile, several crossing guards did not show up on Thursday morning. The school district was told by Cross Safe early Thursday that a number of crossing guards would not be available. Their absence led slower traffic and a longer morning for parents at some schools, including outside Fort Mill Middle and Fort Mill Elementary, where Brucker had worked. No reason was given for the sudden shortage, and a message left for Cross Safe for an explanation was not immediately returned.
“Due to unforeseen circumstance we will have limited crossing guards at school entrances and exits today,” the school district told parents in a Thursday message. “We are asking everyone to please use extra care when traveling in school zones today. This may cause delays for car rider and bus transportation. Schools will be flexible with students who arrive late. We apologize for the situation and are working to address this issue as quickly as possible.”
Community reaction to Brucker’s death was immediate, donating nearly $30,000 to the family through a GoFundMe page to help with travel expenses and other needs. A fundraising goal of $7,500 was passed within a day.
In an update to the page, the family said a celebration of life for Bruckers family and friends is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at MorningStar Fellowship Church, 375 Star Light Dr, Fort Mill.
“Please meet in the Ballroom,” the family said. “There will be balloons outside the entrance way and arrows to follow to lead people to the right spot.”
Brucker, 63, had aspirations for missionary work in the Philippines. His niece, Kendra Lewis, said her uncle was survived by four children, two stepchildren, and five grandchildren who live out of state, with two currently enlisted in the military.
“PLEASE slow down in all school zones and respect the speed limit,” Lewis said. “The brave adults who put their lives in danger protecting those children every day have families who love them.”
Full Statement from Solicitor’s Office:
They are human traffic lights. No kids cross Fort Mill Parkway to get to the school. There needs to be a police presence every morning and afternoon. Maybe the school resource officers can direct traffic since they are already there, instead of opening car doors for the kids in the morning.
Yes they do. They cross from the subdivision across from Catawba Ridge High School on the bypass side and from Forest Creek Middle on the Whites Rd side. – From a crossing guard/traffic controller for River Trail and 1 of Catawba Ridge’s 3 entrances. Unfortunately, people don’t care if there are police present or not, If anyone has any questions on why we are allowed out there, contact Fort Mill School District, and hopefully they can answer any questions or concerns you may have, Thank you and be safe. The life you save may be your very own one day
Are our crossing guards being used incorrectly? Are they doing something they shouldn’t? This article seems to raise the issue:
https://wach.com/news/local/richland-2-superintendent-addresses-crossing-guard-issue
Greg: Why are you afraid to post my comment? I thought you were a journalist.
Richland School District Two officials say they have been breaking the law in the past by allowing crossing guards to direct traffic. Now that they are aware of the statute they prohibit it and say they have to follow the law. The school district is referring to the US Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices which reads in part quote: “Adult crossing guards shall not direct traffic in the usual law enforcement regulatory sense.”
Has Fort Mill not been in compliance?
The police should be there to direct traffic, we pay there salaries