The busy streets near Kluge Elementary usually have a friendly face, Andrew Tyler, but it had a different look Friday after he was injured in a hit-and-run collision.
The 71-year-old is known to neighborhood kids as the crossing guard that gives them each a greeting.
"He'll be like, 'How you doing today?'" said Xaniya Mongetmry, 12.
"Good morning and have a good day at school," said high school junior Braniah Williams.
Milwaukee police said he has worked for them as a crossing guard for about a decade. MPD Chief Ed Flynn said Tyler walks to work every day, no matter the weather.
A surveillance photo showed the car that hit him just before 6:30 a.m. Friday at 72nd Street and Carmen Avenue.
Flynn said a four-door red LeSabre or Buick Park Avenue struck Tyler and the driver took off.
"This is somebody whose job it was to protect their children. Whoever's driving this car is a menace to everybody's children in that community and the rest of the city," Flynn said.
Neighbors and parents said they are worried because of how people drive in the area.
"This is ridiculous, they are driving too fast and don't make the stop," said mother Carmen Bustos.
But the kids are worried about their crossing guard. Tyler's family said he has broken bones but is recovering.
"He's a good person. I don't know who would do this," said freshman Deshawn Eckles.
"It hurts my heart that he got hit and no one is stepping up to say anything," Williams said.
