Beloved Queens Crossing Guard Dies After Being Hit by Truck While Working: 'She Was There to Keep Them Safe'

The 63-year-old crossing guard was hit by a Kenworth dump truck on Friday morning in Queens, N.Y.

A beloved crossing guard died after being hit by a dump truck in Queens, New York, last Friday while working, authorities confirmed to PEOPLE.

Krystyna Naprawa, 63, was on duty in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens when she was hit by the truck after assisting pedestrians around 8 a.m. local time.

A spokesperson for the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed with PEOPLE that a “Kenworth dump truck operated by a 39-year-old male was making a right turn southbound on Woodhaven Boulevard and Westbound Atlantic Avenue, where he struck the pedestrian, an on-duty NYPD school crossing guard, who was standing in a marked crosswalk.”

The driver was identified as Hector Yepes, reported CBS New York. Yepes was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care, and is expected in court on Nov. 9, reported the New York Daily News.

The NYPD spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the incident remains under investigation by the department’s highway district collision squad.

Naprawa was a longtime resident of Howard Beach after moving to the United States 40 years ago from Poland, reported CBS New York. She served as an NYPD school crossing guard for 13 years, according to NBC 4 New York.

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Following the fatal accident, New York Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced Naprawa’s death on X (formerly known as Twitter) and expressed the department’s condolences.

“Every school day, parents in the 102nd Precinct put their children's lives in SCG Naprawa's hands — and every day, she was there to keep them safe. This morning was no different, and SCG Naprawa's loss is a tragic reminder of the very real dangers our school crossing guards face in the performance of their duty," the message read.

Commissioner Caban’s statement continued, “But despite these risks, she still chose to put the safety of others above her own. And today, our hearts are heavy as we honor SCG Naprawa's service and never forget her unwavering commitment to her community. Please keep her family and loved ones in your prayers.”

The post was also shared by N.Y.C. mayor, Eric Adams, who reposted the announcement with the caption: “Krystyna Naprawa represented the best of our school crossing guards and the NYPD. Her commitment to her job and community did not go unnoticed and it shows from the outpouring of love. My prayers are with her family and all those who knew her.”

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Naprawa is the third guard to be struck by a vehicle “in a matter of months,” reports the crossing guard’s union, District 37 Local 372. The union’s executive director Henry A. Garrido wrote in the Friday statement, that “any [deaths] over zero is unacceptable.”

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating loss of School Crossing Guard Krystyna Naprawa,” wrote Garrido. “These heroes put their lives on the line for our kids and neighborhoods every day, and today’s tragedy makes that stark fact unavoidable.”

A candlelight vigil was held for Naprawa on Monday evening, reported PIX 11.

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