Crossing Guard Fatally Struck By Vehicle In Monterey Park
MONTEREY PARK (CBSLA.com) — A crossing guard Tuesday was hit and killed by a vehicle in front of a Monterey Park fire station.
Abel Flores-Castellanos, 76, was struck around 3:30 p.m. while sitting on a wall at the intersection of Garfield and Elmgate avenues, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.
"Everyone knows him, he waves to everyone who drives and walks through this neighborhood," family friend Anthony Zuniga said.
Flores-Castellanos worked for Macy Intermediate School and spent years helping kids safely cross the intersection where he would lose his life.
Within hours, people had set up a makeshift memorial at the crash site. Someone left a note that read: "Thank you! You kept me safe when I was a kid. Thank you on behalf of all of us kids."
Neighbors said Flores-Castellanos was friendly and well-liked in the community. They say it is going to be weird that they won't be see his smiling face anymore.
"He was very nice, very polite, helping the students crossing the street in the mornings," neighbor Elga Kunkle said.
The 19-year-old driver remained at the scene. Investigators say the motorist veered off the road and into the wall where the victim was sitting after experiencing some confusion with another driver in the intersection. Police are investigating whether the 19-year-old had a valid driver's license.