School crossing guard hit by car Monday morning

Racine police report a scary incident this morning at West Street and MLK Drive:

At 8:31 a.m. this morning, a crossing guard standing in the crosswalk at West St on ML King Dr was struck by a small SUV, causing minor injuries.

Diana Hines, 59, had just stationed herself in the crosswalk facing northbound traffic and raised her portable stop sign, when the operator of the SUV, Juan Mendiola, 31, left eastbound from the stop sign at ML King Dr and initiated a right turn to travel south.

Due to the sun in his eyes while facing east, he initially did not see the crossing guard to his right. As he initiated the turn, she became visible to him and he entered the crosswalk area too late to stop, striking her with his passenger side door mirror, causing her to fall to the ground.

Ms. Hines was transported to Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Hospital at 3801 Spring St. by rescue and treated for bumps and bruises.

Mr. Mendiola was issued a citation for Failure to Yield to an Adult Crossing Guard as well as Operation of a Non-Registered Vehicle. He was released at the scene upon issuance of the citations. There was minor damage to the vehicle.

According to the investigator, Ms. Hines had not yet waved any children into the crosswalk from the curb line, so no children were injured during the crash.