Local Crossing Guard Returns to Work After Hit and Run Injury

On February 14, a pair of local school crossing guards were the victims of a hit-and-run near the intersection of Deltona and Northcliffe. The then 52-year-old Nicholas Gallicchio of Spring Hill and Donald Jenkins, 82, of Weeki Wachee, were struck by Robert Noack while protecting children at the traffic light.

As the driver attempted to flee, his vehicle ran aground on a concrete drainage cover on the southwest corner of the intersection. Noack then looked to flee on foot before being arrested shortly thereafter.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office was “incredibly pleased” to announce Gallicchio’s full recovery and return to his post on Facebook last week. The elderly Jenkins is still recuperating. The HCSO added:

“While we continue to support the recovery of our other injured guard, we are thankful that Nicholas is able to return to his post as the new school year begins. Nicholas has always gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of our children, and we couldn’t be happier to see him back in action. Thank you, Nicholas, for your bravery and unwavering commitment to our community. We appreciate everything you do to keep our students safe.”

Jenkins’ condition was serious after being hit by Noack’s tan sedan as he stood in the grassy median that afternoon. The younger Gallicchio sustained injuries to his back, shoulder, and knee, but thankfully, they were minor and he is fully recovered. Though his partner is not yet back, the crossing guard is happy that he was able to return to his post, and the children were too.

“I’m glad to be back out here,” said Gallicchio. “I enjoy crossing the kids. The kids give me a lot of joy. The kids are very friendly, and the welcome back from the kids was really spectacular. It really was.”

As the pair of crossing guards recovered from their wounds, the HCSO supported them completely. Officers would visit, make calls, and even provide rides to the infirmed community servants. “I couldn’t ask for a better sheriff’s department to work for,” Nicholas stated.

The sheriff’s office is also looking into more high-visibility uniforms that will allow the crossing guards to be more noticeable in the afternoon as well as the early morning light. While this would no doubt be of help to the local crossing guards, Gallicchio hopes for a dedicated crosswalk to be implemented at the intersection. Unfortunately, not much progress has been made on this front.

“The one thing that my lieutenant is trying to work for with the county is to get a crosswalk right here, but so far, we were zeroing out on it,” the crossing guard stated. “We definitely do need a crosswalk going across Deltona for the kids’ safety as well as ours- that we don’t have yet, but we need that. That’s something that we definitely do need for the safety of ourselves as well as the citizens and the children of Spring Hill.”

Though the crossing guard’s harrowing story had a happy ending, that easily could not have been the case. The construction of a crosswalk would likely be crucial in creating a safer traffic experience for everyone moving forward.

Meanwhile, Robert Noack’s court case is ongoing. He faces charges of failure to stop or remain at a crash involving serious bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and DUI damage to property or person. A pre-trial appearance is scheduled on Oct. 2, 2024, with Judge Stephen Toner Jr.