School crossing guard in Hempstead hit, killed by 18-wheeler

HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- A school crossing guard on Long Island was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler Friday morning.

The woman, identified as 66-year-old Virginia Carol Leviner, affectionately known as Miss Carol, was working at South Franklin and Grove streets in Hempstead and escorting children across the street when she was fatally struck.

"The child didn't see the truck," husband Tallie Leviner said. "She did. She ran out, pushed the child, waving her stop sign, but I don't know what happened."

Tallie Leviner said he and his wife met 52 years ago and were inseparable. And despite a recent battle with lung cancer, all she wanted to do was get back to her kids.

"She loved the kids," he said. "A couple of times there were a couple of kids she brought home. They didn't have as much as we did."

She was an employee of the Hempstead Village Police Department.

"She saved her young child's life by giving her life," daughter Karen Leviner said.

Many children and neighbors reportedly looked on as the horrific crash played out. One witness said it appeared the driver of the truck was attempting to beat the light, and that the victim had her handheld stop sign in the air at the time.

"The truck was turning the corner, and the lady was coming across the street with the kids," witness Atiya Lombardo said. "She put up her stop sign to tell the truck driver to stop, and he didn't stop. He kept turning. And he hit her."

The vehicle stayed at the scene, and police are inspecting it. The driver is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

"When I saw her, I thought it was a little boy, because she looked like she was little," witness Theresa Williams said. "Then I saw who she was, and I said, 'No, no, no, that's the crossing guard, that's the crossing guard.'"

Leviner, who has worked in the same area for nearly three decades, will be missed by her children and grandchildren.

"People have their own kids, she crossed their kids," Karen Leviner said. "So everyone knew and loved my mother...She will be missed and loved by everyone."