A Lehi crossing guard prevented a potential tragedy on Wednesday, Sept. 16, by sprinting into the path of an accelerating vehicle to shield children in a crosswalk. Tara Sandstrom, who has served as a crossing guard for nearly two years, positioned her body between the white vehicle and the pedestrians to ensure they were not struck.
A Near Miss at 1100 West
The incident occurred at the intersection of 1100 West and 1450 South, where Sandstrom was actively guiding two children across the street with her stop sign raised. According to Lehi Free Press, the vehicle was making a right turn and began to proceed through the crosswalk while the children and Sandstrom were still in the roadway.
Sandstrom reported that she moved immediately to intercept the vehicle to prevent it from hitting the children. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop just in time to avoid contact. Sandstrom noted that while she acted on instinct, no one was injured during the close call.
Viral Video Sparks Praise
Footage of the encounter has since circulated online, amassing millions of views and drawing widespread praise for Sandstrom's reflexes. Despite the attention, Sandstrom expressed that she does not view herself as a hero, stating she was simply doing her job to keep children out of danger.
"I don't really consider myself a hero," Sandstrom said, according to Lehi Free Press. She added that she was grateful the incident could be turned into something positive to create awareness regarding school zone safety.
Instinct Over Deliberation
Sandstrom described the experience of the incident as one where there was no time for deliberation. "There really wasn't time to think," she said. "My immediate instinct was to protect the kids and put myself between them and the vehicle."
Managing High Traffic Volumes
The crossing guard described the daily environment at the intersection as hectic, particularly during the morning drop-off period. Sandstrom noted that she monitors traffic from multiple directions to manage the flow of pedestrians and vehicles.
On a typical busy morning, Sandstrom estimates she assists between 80 and 100 children. She noted that the afternoon period is even busier, with a significantly higher volume of children crossing the street.
Calls for Driver Awareness
Sandstrom emphasized the importance of following Utah crosswalk laws, which require motorists to remain completely stopped until pedestrians and crossing guards have reached the opposite curb. She urged drivers to remain attentive and to keep their emotions in check to avoid accidents in school zones.
"I know traffic can get crazy through the crosswalk and the school zone, but taking a deep breath, slowing down, and staying calm can make such a difference," Sandstrom said.
A Community Calling
Beyond the immediate safety duties, Sandstrom expressed a deep personal connection to the community she serves. She stated that she strives to make every person passing through the crosswalk feel welcome and have a positive interaction.
Sandstrom remarked that for many children, she is one of the first people they see in the morning outside of their families. She noted that she values the connections made with both the children and their parents, and she expressed a willingness to repeat her actions to protect the children if needed.
Dedicated Service
Sandstrom has served as a crossing guard for approximately two full school years. She expressed that the role has become something she genuinely cares about and enjoys.
