Crossing guard killed by truck may have been shielding child

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities in New York say a longtime crossing guard has been struck and killed by a tractor-trailer.

Police were investigating reports that the Long Island guard might have been trying to shield a child when she was killed Friday.

The crossing guard was identified as Virginia Carol Leviner, whose 67th birthday was next Wednesday. Newsday (https://nwsdy.li/2e5gR2P ) reports she was a Hempstead village police crossing guard for 28 years.

She was affectionately known to children as Miss Carol.

The crash happened at about 7:30 a.m. Police say a tractor-trailer was turning right when the rear struck Leviner, knocking her to the ground.

She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police say the driver remained at the scene. No charges had been filed.

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Information from: Newsday, https://www.newsday.com