Berkley Crossing Guard Remains Hospitalized
Paul Skonieczny – who suffered internal injuries, fractures and other bumps and bruises when he was struck by a vehicle Jan. 11 outside Anderson Middle School – is expected to make a full recovery, his wife says.
A Berkley crossing guard who was hit by a vehicle while on duty remains in the intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak but is expected to make a full recovery, his wife said Thursday.
Paul Skonieczny of Berkley suffered internal injuries, fractures and other bumps and bruises when he was struck Jan. 11 outside Anderson Middle School, according to his wife Celine Skonieczny.
"He's aware of what's going on; he's conscious. His legs work. His arms work," she said. "Considering what he went through, we consider ourselves very lucky. We're just both grateful there were no children involved."
Celine Skonieczny said this is not the first time during his 6 years as a crossing guard that her husband experienced a dangerous situation at his post outside Anderson.
"There were a few times he came home shooken up," she said. "It's kind of a bad corner. Parents try to drop their kids off and the other drivers want to go around them.
[Read: How Can We Keep Students Safe on the Way to School?]
"I hope people stop to think about that now," she said. "Pull in to the parking lot behind the school and let your kids get out in a safe environment. I don't understand why people insist on dropping their kids off on Catalpa. It's all about the kids' safety and people forget that."
Skonieczny said she is optimistic her husband will be out of the ICU by the end of the weekend, but that he will have a long rehabilitation ahead of him.
"We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and they're working," she said.
Where to send cards
Get-well wishes can be sent to Anderson Middle School or Beaumont Hospital, Celine Skonieczny said. Address cards to Paul Skonieczny c/o the school or the hospital.
Anderson Middle School
3205 Catalpa Dr.
Berkley, MI 48072
Beaumont Hospital
3601 W. 13 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Cathy
9:21 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Why are so many students being driven to school? What happened to walking? Or riding a bike? I loved walking to school. Longest walk was a little more than a mile from home to Berkley High.
Leslie Ellis
9:23 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
That's a great question, Cathy! It seems, especially in this era of obesity, that parents would be making sure their kids get as much exercise as possible, even if just by walking to school. So, parents: Why do you choose to drive your kids instead of letting them walk? Is it a safety issue? If so, what prompted your concerns?
Virginia
9:21 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
That area around Anderson is very bad. I almost got hit by a guy trying to go around stopped traffic on Catalpa...he got mad at me even though he was in the wrong, and started following my car (I drove to the police station; that was the end of that!). Next time it could be a kid that gets hit. I think it's time for a serious look at this.
Sarah
10:16 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Any news yet on whether the driver be facing any charges? It seems that sending a man to the ICU for a week deserves more of a penalty than citations.
janice terry
10:03 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
I agree. If a grown man suffered that many injuries imagine what would've happened had it been a 12 year old student?
Kevin Moser
11:58 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Curios if someone was on the phone or texting? Also curious how the poor guy is doing?