Crossing guard dies after being hit by car in Burlington, New Jersey

BURLINGTON, N.J. - A school crossing guard in Burlington, New Jersey has died after police say he was struck by a car early Friday morning. 

It happened around 7:20 a.m. at the intersection of Jacksonville Road and James Street. 

Police say the Burlington City school crossing guard, identified as 74-year-old Bruce Morlack, was struck by a driver that was traveling southbound on Jacksonville Road, while leading children to the other side of the street.

The children with him were uninjured.

The crossing guard was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and was initially listed in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries and died.

According to investigators, the driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Morlack and the children were in the marked crosswalk at the time of the crash, according to police.

Residents say he had been around for years. A resident who lives near the area where the crossing guard was hit, Dr. Claudia Maxie, explained, "It is a very, very busy area. We see accidents almost all the time. We have lived here for almost 20 years and we have seen too many accidents that occurred right here in this corner.

 She continued, "When I found out it was the crossing guard, I immediately just prayed for him, because he’s been our crossing guard for many years. We give him Christmas cards. We talk to him all the time. He plays harmonica on the corner, he waves at everybody, he picks up all the trash and keeps the area clean. He’s an exceptional person and we love him."

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is asked to contact Burlington Police.