WOODLAND PARK, NJ — An 80-year-old crossing guard died Monday afternoon after pushing two children out of the path of an oncoming SUV at a busy intersection, witnesses said.
Jean Schultz was struck and killed while performing her duties at the intersection of McBride and Lackawanna avenues around 3:30 p.m., according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. The veteran crossing guard, who lived in Woodland Park and had served the community for years, was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. The two children she saved, who are siblings, suffered minor injuries when they fell to the ground but were not hit by the vehicle. Both children were hospitalized in stable condition.
Witnesses told ABC7 that Schultz pushed the students out of harm’s way moments before the SUV struck her. “She literally put herself in harm’s way to protect the kids,” resident Marino Florio said. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene after the crash, police said. Angelo Cilindrello, owner of nearby Angelo’s Auto Repair, heard the impact from inside his shop. “We were inside working. We heard a big boom, like a big thump,” Cilindrello said. The intersection where the tragedy occurred is known as a busy crossing point for students.
Mayor Tracy Kallert described Schultz’s death as a “heartbreaking loss” in a statement posted to social media. “Jean Schultz was a dedicated crossing guard who took great pride in keeping our children safe each day,” Kallert said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and our crossing guard team as we mourn together.” The mayor praised Schultz as “more than a crossing guard,” calling her “a bright and reassuring presence for generations of children and families.” Kallert added that Schultz “was a kind and gentle soul who lit up every time she saw the kids coming, greeting them with a smile and ensuring their safety each and every day.”
Neighbors and fellow crossing guards remembered Schultz as someone who genuinely loved her job and the children she protected. David Holster, her 85-year-old next-door neighbor, described her as his “best friend in the world.” The two had a close relationship built on mutual support. “I helped her out, she helped me out,” Holster said. “She brought me food. I cut her grass, I cleaned up her leaves. She did so much for me. We went for breakfast every Thursday morning.” Holster expressed devastation at the loss, saying he didn’t want to live anymore without his dear friend. Cilindrello, the auto repair shop owner, had just helped Schultz with a flat tire on Friday, and she returned that afternoon with a bag of cookies as thanks. “That’s just the kind of person she was,” he said.
Fellow crossing guard Franko Racanati, who was working the same intersection on Tuesday, struggled to process the tragedy. “You know, we try to save the people, the kids, but it’s very bad what happened,” Racanati told CBS News. Resident Giuseppe Martucci called Schultz “a staple” in the community, expressing disbelief that someone so dedicated would meet such a tragic end. “She was a staple, a staple. It’s so unfortunate. Eighty years old, and to have to go like that,” Martucci said. Multiple residents emphasized Schultz’s unwavering dedication to child safety and her warm personality that made her beloved throughout Woodland Park.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office continues investigating the crash in coordination with Woodland Park Police Chief Luigi DeLuca. No charges have been announced against the driver, who cooperated with authorities by remaining at the scene. The investigation remains active as officials work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fatal collision. Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-877-370-PCPO, submit tips online at tips@passaiccountynj.org, or call the Woodland Park Police tip line at 973-345-8117. The prosecutor’s office has indicated that tips can be submitted anonymously through their website.
Mayor Kallert emphasized that Schultz died “while faithfully performing her duties” and noted that her loss is “deeply felt through the entire community.” The mayor said Woodland Park “stands united in sorrow as we honor Jean’s life, her service, and the countless lives she touched.” The incident marked another pedestrian safety concern in the area, with officials noting that four pedestrians had been struck in Woodland Park within two days. Schultz’s sacrifice has highlighted both the dangers crossing guards face daily and their vital role in protecting children. Her decades of service and final heroic act have left an indelible mark on the community she served with such dedication and love.
