A Florida crossing guard was hailed a hero after she saved a 7-year-old girl from being hit by a reckless driver.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the young girl was crossing the intersection at Culbreath Road and Nature’s Way Boulevard in Valrico on Jan. 27 when a car zoomed through the area.
Crossing guard supervisor Kathleen Quinn was in the middle of the road with her stop sign raised above her head but the driver didn’t slow down.
Quinn jumped into action and grabbed the 7-year-old who was walking her bike across the street. “I saw her coming and I put my arm out to make sure Madeline didn’t get hit by the car,” Quinn told the sheriff’s office. She stopped a tragic accident, according to officials.
Watch: Crossing Guard Saves Young Girl From Reckless Driver
Governor Ron DeSantis declared today 🛑 #CrossingGuardAppreciationDay 🛑 in Florida & boy, do we have the perfect story to show the importance of our Crossing Guards. WATCH THIS! HCSO Crossing Guard Supervisor Kathleen Quinn saved a girl from getting hit by a car on Wednesday! pic.twitter.com/M5vOlaTDM1
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) February 5, 2021
“She stepped into harm’s way to protect a child from a reckless driver,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “I am overwhelmed with pride to say she is part of our team of dedicated crossing guards who treat every child on their route as their own and ensure they get to and from school safely.”
Mia Carlson, the girl’s mother witnessed the incident while waiting for her daughter on the other side of the road and reported “Quinn’s heroic actions” to the sheriff’s office. “As a mother, I was really so thankful for her,” Carlson said. “You can’t rewind something like that.”
“Ms. Kathleen Quinn is nothing less than a hero,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Though she has only served two years as a crossing guard, she undoubtedly possesses the skills and, above all, the intuition needed to perform this critical duty. Without hesitation, she stepped into harm’s way to protect a child from a reckless driver.
“I am overwhelmed with pride to say she is part of our team of dedicated crossing guards who treat every child on their route as their own and ensure they get to and from school safely,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.