Northeast-area accident kills crossing guard headed to work

A 64-year-old man on his way to work as a school crossing guard was hit by a pickup truck and killed this morning in the Northeast area of Kansas City.

Kansas City police identified the victim as 64-year-old James R. Suman.

Police said that Suman was walking across Van Brunt Boulevard at Seventh Street about 6:35 a.m. when he was struck by a northbound truck. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Suman, who lived just around the corner from where he was struck, was wearing a reflective vest and carrying a plastic school crossing sign, according to police. Investigators said he apparently was walking to a city bus stop to ride to work at a school in another part of the Northeast area.

The pickup truck's driver was not injured. Police were interviewing her this morning. The circumstances of the crash are under investigation.

The Kansas City Star

www.kansascity.com

Friday, November 11, 2011 10:49 a.m.