Crossing guard killed in accident in front of private school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An 84-year-old crossing guard was killed in an accident in front of a private school in Midtown.

Johnny Gipson was hit after a two-car wreck in front of the Houston Academy for International Studies in the 3200 block of Hamilton near Elgin around 8:50am this morning.

Eyewitnesses tell us a car was traveling east on Elgin when it came through and ran the red light and hit a van traveling in the opposite direction. That car spun out of control and hit and killed Gipson, who was walking on the sidewalk.

According to police, a mother and her two children were in the Dodge van. The mother was dropping her daughters off at school when she was hit. The van's airbags were deployed in the crash. All three were sent to the hospital in good condition.

Houston Police Department Lt. Paul George said, "When the Dodge hit the pedestrian, it hit the guard rail and (the crossing guard) flew in the air and died when he landed on the sidewalk."

The driver of the car, a Dodge Avenger, was taken by Houston police to be tested for possible impairment.

Gipson was transported to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was not a crossing guard for the Houston Academy of International Studies. His identity has not been released pending notification of his family.

Parents of children at that private school say there have been accidents at this intersection before and that they think there might be something wrong with the red lights at the intersection.

Witness Charity Cantu said, "I was just hoping and praying that it wouldn't be one of our kids walking to school. That's always my fear. Every day, every morning, every afternoon."

No charges are filed at this time and the investigation, we're told, is ongoing.