KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, the pastor from the Christ the King Parish and a teacher stood at the crosswalk on Leavenworth Road and North 54th Street to serve as familiar faces for students and staff mourning the passing of Bob Nill, the crossing guard.
Later in the day, Christ the King Elementary School principal Cathy Fithian added a cross to a memorial that continues to grow near the Kansas City, Kansas, school.
The school is leaning on its faith to help heal during a difficult time. And while they're grieving the Nill’s death, some also have raised traffic concerns in the area.
KCKPD shared with these traffic figures with 41 Action News for the area near the school:
2018: Two traffic stops, one accident and one traffic investigation;
2019: Eight traffic stops, one accident and three traffic investigations
2020: One stop, one accident and zero investigations so far.
Fithian said she has seen drivers go around school buses that have crossing arms extended and individuals ignore the school-zone speed limit.
She said she hopes that tragedy will make drivers more attentive.
"We don't want this to happen to anyone's family,” Fithian said. “Bob's family is suffering. Our family, our school family, is suffering because Bob is gone. Slow down. That's all we're asking is pay attention while you're driving. What's it going to take?”
Dave Reno, a spokesperson for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said the city's traffic engineer has not received any complaints regarding this area but will review the site for any needed improvements.
