Crossing guard killed after being hit by truck in Queens

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – A crossing guard died Friday morning after she was struck by a truck in Queens, sources said.

Officers were called to the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue just after 8 a.m., according to the NYPD. The victim, identified as Krystyna Naprawa, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sonia Gonzalez, a mother of two children who go to school nearby, told PIX11 News she would see Naprawa every morning on their way to school.

“She was sweet. She always smiled at everybody,” Gonzalez said. “It’s horrible … she told me ‘I’ll see you later’ … it’s sad.”

Henry A. Garrido, the executive director of the union representing crossing guards in the city, released a statement offering his condolences. He said Naprawa has been a crossing guard for 13 years.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating loss of School Crossing Guard Krystyna Naprawa, who was struck and killed by a vehicle this morning while on duty in Queens in the 102nd Precinct. Krystyna has been a member of DC 37 Local 372 since she joined the City of New York’s crossing guard ranks in 2010. These heroes put their lives on the line for our kids and neighborhoods every day, and today’s tragedy makes that stark fact unavoidable. This is the third guard struck by a vehicle in just a matter of months— anything over zero is unacceptable. We will continue pushing the City to fill vacant positions and increase funding that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of our School Crossing Guards and those they serve.”

Henry A. Garrido

The driver of the truck, Hector Yepes, 39, faces two minor charges, including failure to yield to a pedestrian. He was given a desk appearance ticket.