FORT MILL, S.C. — The attorney for a Fort Mill crossing guard has filed a lawsuit on Thursday against South Carolina state transportation leaders and Fort Mill Schools.
Leslie Richardson was directing traffic in front of Catawba Ridge High two years ago when she was hit by a car, resulting in serious injuries.
Channel 9’s Tina Terry spoke with Richardson’s lawyer, who says he wanted her to be fully compensated for the crash that happened two years ago.
“What we’re asking for is that Miss Richardson be fully and fairly compensated for what happened,” said Kyle White, Richardson’s attorney.
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The lawsuit filed against Fort Mill Schools, South Carolina’s Department of Transportation, and the driver of the car that hit her are all named in the lawsuit.
The district and SCDOT knew the road was unsafe but failed to correct it, according to the suit.
The lawsuit states they “breached their duties by failing to take reasonable steps to correct known hazardous conditions … allowing an unreasonably dangerous environment on Fort Mill Parkway,” and failing “to select a safe location for its crossing guards” to work.
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The following year, the school district stopped using crossing guards to direct traffic districtwide. Last school year, it worked with local and state leaders to install this traffic light in front of Catawba Ridge.
“Hopefully from this point going forward, the government will take things like this more seriously, and we won’t have to be having conversations like this,” the attorney said.
SCDOT and Fort Mill Schools both said they do not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit does not specify an exact dollar amount, but it argues the plaintiff could recover more than $1 million from the district and SCDOT.
It also seeks damages from the driver it alleges caused the crash by driving recklessly.
Richardson was employed by a third-party company called Cross Safe, which was contracted with the school district. They are not named in this lawsuit.