School crossing guard hit while directing traffic; driver allegedly using phone

A crossing guard was injured at North Hall High School.

A crossing guard was injured at North Hall High School.

A crossing guard at North Hall High School was hit by a vehicle while she was directing traffic Tuesday, a school system spokesman told AJC.com.

Ashley Parr, 21, of Gillsville, was struck by a vehicle because a driver was allegedly distracted by his phone and was thrown 12 to 15 feet onto the road, the Georgia State Patrol said in a news release.

She was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries, the release said. She was conscious during the transport, Hall County Schools spokesman Gordon Higgins confirmed.

Her family said Wednesday she remains in critical but stable condition.

Lanier Dudley, 50, of Talmo, was driving his Chevrolet Silverado south on Ga. 283, and Dakota Joy, 17, of Clermont, was leaving the high school in her Jeep Compass, the release said.

Parr, wearing her reflective vest and gloves, directed Dudley to stop and motioned for Joy and the traffic behind her to exit the school and turn onto Ga. 283, the release said.

Dudley was allegedly distracted by his cellphone and failed to stop, hitting Joy’s Jeep and causing it to rotate into Parr, the release said. No one else was injured.

The investigation is ongoing.

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