DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Paulding County high school student was struck by a car while walking to campus on Wednesday morning, school officials say.
In a letter to parents, South Paulding High principal Ed Thomas said the student was hit on Winn Road in front of Dugan Elementary School, which is right by the high school.
The student is in critical condition at an Atlanta-area hospital, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our school is a tight-knit community, and I am sharing this information so that all of our thoughts and prayers can be dedicated to the families involved,” Thomas said in his letter. “I also want you to know that we will have counselors on hand at the school today and tomorrow for any students or staff who need assistance.”
The student has not been identified.
Parents and neighbors told Atlanta News First that the intersection and crosswalk at Winn Road and Sundance Drive has them concerned because there’s not a four-way stop and some of the signage is blocked by trees.
Some students left school early, upset by the accident, and their parents shared that it’s rocking their community.
“That hit pretty hard because it could be my child, and we know this young girl anyway, so that makes it even tougher,” said one father.
He added that he and his son know the student well.
“He was having a difficult time in school, so after speaking with the counselor we decided to bring him home,” he said.
The South Paulding community is now asking for prayers for the student who was hit.
“We just need prayers,” the father said. “The more prayers they can get the better off we are.”
When Atlanta News First arrived on the scene, the Georgia State Patrol was still investigating and gathering the student’s belongings for her family.
Neighbors and parents shared off camera that they have been concerned with speeding at the intersection for a while.
A father who’s a retired firefighter said that starting now he is going to volunteer as a crossing guard to try to keep it safer.
While Atlanta News First was on the scene an official crossing guard from Paulding County Schools also showed up.
When asked if the crossing guard would be back on a daily basis, Paulding County Schools said the guard was at the intersection on his own.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.
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