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Crosswalk named for Cobb middle school crossing guard who was killed on the job

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the Edna Umeh memorial crosswalk in front of Lindley High School. Umeh, 64, was fatally hit by a car on Nov. 30, 2017, while she was directing traffic on Veterans Memorial Highway in Mableton.

Credit: Cobb County

Credit: Cobb County

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the Edna Umeh memorial crosswalk in front of Lindley High School. Umeh, 64, was fatally hit by a car on Nov. 30, 2017, while she was directing traffic on Veterans Memorial Highway in Mableton.
By Kristal Dixon
Aug 6, 2021

A crosswalk in front of a south Cobb middle school has been named after a crossing guard who was hit and killed by a car while on duty.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the Edna Umeh memorial crosswalk in front of Lindley Middle School. Umeh, 64, was fatally hit by a car on Nov. 30, 2017, while she was directing traffic on Veterans Memorial Highway in Mableton.

The driver of the vehicle, Lamonte Whitaker of Lithonia, in August 2018 was sentenced to five years in prison for hitting Umeh, of Austell, with his vehicle.

ExploreCobb crossing guard’s death sparks calls to address ‘dangerous’ road

THe mother of three’s family pushed for safety improvements following her death. Cobb County conducted a safety audit of Veterans Memorial Highway and in May 2018 installed two electronic road signs that tells drivers how fast they are going.

Edna Umeh, 64, was fatally hit by a car on Nov. 30, 2017, while she was directing traffic in front of Lindley Middle School in Mableton. Credit: Channel 2 Action News
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In March, the county activated a HAWK, or High-intensity Activated crossWalK, beacon that allow pedestrians to push a button notifying motorists that they are trying to cross the road.

State Rep. Erica Thomas in 2018 introduced “Edna’s Law,” which would allow law enforcement officers to use speed detection technology while patrolling designated school zones.

ExploreMore stories about Cobb County public schools

About the Author

Kristal Dixon covers Cobb and DeKalb county schools for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Before joining the AJC, Dixon worked for Patch.com and the Cherokee Tribune in Canton.

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