Charges filed in crossing guard's death

TAYLORSVILLE — A man accused of hitting and killing a school crossing guard with his pickup truck in 2008 has been charged.

Paul Riddle, 42, was charged in 3rd District Court with negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, as well as speeding in a school zone and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a school crosswalk, both also misdemeanors.

On Dec. 16, 2008, James "Jim" W. Smith, 77, was working as a school crossing guard for Bennion Junior High School. He was helping children cross 2700 West at 5930 South when he was hit and killed by a pickup truck driven by Riddle, according to court documents. The impact of the collision catapulted Smith nearly 70 feet. The vehicle was traveling an estimated 29 mph in a 20 mph zone, court records stated.

Smith was taken to Intermountain Medical Center, where he regained consciousness, but doctors said he would be in a wheelchair the rest of his life. On Jan. 1, the day before he was to have begun his rehabilitation, he died.

Riddle told investigators he did not see the crossing guard. It was snowing at the time of the accident. Smith was wearing a reflective jacket and holding a stop sign when he was hit. Flashing yellow school-zone lights were also on at the time, according to court documents.

In an interview with the Deseret News in January, Smith's family said they had talked to Riddle and were not angry at him.

"It's been very hard on (the driver and his family). It's an accident. It's everybody's worst nightmare. We've shared tears with them. I have no ill feelings toward them," said Smith's son, Keith Smith.

Jim Smith served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked for Kennecott Utah Copper for 25 years before retiring in 1993. He had a barber's license at the time of his death.

Prior to the fatal accident, his stop sign, with its dings and nicks and a large chunk missing, was his "Badge of Courage," his family said. The markings were from other near-miss situations. Part of the sign was patched together with glue and staples.

e-mail: preavy@desnews.com