A crossing guard died from his injuries after he was struck by a car while protecting two students near a school in Burlington City, New Jersey, police said.
The incident occurred Friday around 7:20 a.m. as Bruce Morlack, a 74-year-old crossing guard from Burlington, was helping two Burlington City School District students walk across the marked crosswalk at James and Jacksonville streets, police said.
Surveillance video obtained by NBC10 showed Morlack with the stop sign in his hand as he continued to help the students. The sign was first ignored by a red car, which narrowly missed the group. Then, a white 2015 Chrysler 200 struck Morlack immediately after.
Morlack was taken to a Trenton hospital where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the Chrysler remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police.
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Police said Morlack died protecting the students from being struck.
"Thankfully, our students made it safely and were not injured," Superintendent Dr. John Russell and District School Safety Specialist James Flynn wrote in a letter posted on the district website. "We are incredibly grateful for the crossing guard's efforts to ensure our students made it safely across the street."
Claudia Maxie, a mother who lives right near the crash site, told NBC10 Morlack worked there for years.
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"He plays his harmonica on the corner all day. Everyone knows him, he waves at everyone," said Maxie.
District administrators had a message for drivers:
"We rely on crossing guards to keep our students safe as they travel to and from school each day," Russell and Flynn wrote. "They play a vital role in student safety; however, their effectiveness relies heavily on the cooperation of drivers in the area. We urge our community to exercise heightened caution when driving near schools and to remain alert for students crossing the street."
Investigators and the district asked anyone with video of the incident or information to call Burlington Police Det. Cpl. Anna Czajka at (609) 386-0262, ext. 221.
The school district encouraged parents to engage in conversations with students affected by the traumatic event.
"If you have concerns or require additional support for your child, please contact your school principal or the District's Child Study Team at 609-387-5839," school leaders wrote.
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