Police searching for pickup truck after crossing guard struck in Barrhaven

A Barrhaven crossing guard is fighting for his life in hospital after he was struck by a vehicle while on duty Monday morning. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

A crossing guard is being treated for life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in an alleged hit-and-run in Barrhaven, according to police.

Emergency crews responded to a call for a collision involving a pedestrian on Cedarview Road, near Kennevale Drive, at approximately 8:20 a.m. Monday, the first day of classes after the March Break.

The Ottawa Police Service said the driver of the vehicle, described as a dark-coloured F-150 truck, fled the scene of the crash.

Police say the crossing guard was on duty at the time of the incident.

The victim, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene by paramedics, and transported to the Ottawa Hospital with serious injuries.

The collision occurred down the street from Mary Honeywell Elementary School and the Barrhaven Child Care Centre.

The Ottawa Safety Council said in a statement its thoughts are with the crossing guard and his family.

“Our immediate focus is on supporting them, as well as impacted staff and our school community,” the statement said.

“The safety of our crossing guards and the communities they serve remains at the core of everything we do.”

The Ottawa Safety Council said it would not be sharing any other details out of respect for the family’s privacy.

Police say investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage of the incident. You can contact the Collision Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 2345.

“Leaving the scene of a collision is a serious offense, and we are asking the driver to come forward and speak to our collision investigators,” said Ottawa police Duty Insp. David Merkel.

“This collision occurred this morning while children are on their way to school, which is why the crossing guard was working at the time. So, when these types of collisions occur, they are they’re very serious to us.”

Coun. David Hill urged residents to check doorbell cameras for any details about the suspect vehicle.

“Everything we can do as a community to catch this reckless and dangerous driver we need to do,” Hill said on X.

“This person has put a dedicated member of our community in the hospital and can not be allowed to continue operating on our streets.”

Cedarview Road was closed between Kennevale Drive and Maravista Drive for the police investigation, but reopened just after 1 p.m.

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