SPRING HILL, Fla. — The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit-and-run involving two school crossing guards.
It happened Wednesday just before 4 p.m. near Deltona Boulevard and Northcliffe Boulevard.
Deputies said the suspect took off but was later found and taken into custody.
The suspect was identified as Robert Noack, 54. He was charged with hit-and-run and DUI, according to an arrest report.
The two crossing guards were transported to a trauma center for their injuries.
One of the guards, 82-year-old Donald Jenkins of Weeki Wachee, suffered serious injuries. The other guard, 52-year-old Nicholas Gallicchio of Spring Hill, had minor injuries.
No children were involved in the incident.
One Hernando County crossing guard says it’s a very dangerous job.
“Drivers don’t watch. No one’s careful, we’re out here, we’re trying to protect your children,” said Lisa Hall, who has been helping students safely cross busy roads for the last 11 years. During that time, she has seen a lot of near misses.
Jenkins and Gallicchio help students from Fox Chapel Middle School, which is about two miles from where Hall is stationed outside Springstead High School. Much like her intersection, there’s no light, and it’s a busy road.
“Every day, they (drivers) don’t see the hat, they don’t see this, they don’t see the stop sign, ‘Oh, I didn’t see the blinking light,’ look at the blinking light, it’s right there, so yeah, it’s a dangerous job.”
She says all Hernando County crossing guards are shaken up, but will continue doing their jobs because they love their students.
Hall has one message for drivers everywhere:
“Please, please watch, for our kids, for your kids, for their kids, let's keep them safe.”