School crossing guard killed while trying to slow down speeding vehicle, Cobb police say

A Cobb County school crossing guard affectionately known as Ms. Edna was killed Thursday by a driver speeding through a school zone, authorities said.

Edna Umeh, 63, had spent the last five years as a crossing guard at Lindley Middle School in Mableton before Thursday’ morning fateful accident. In the aftermath of her death, students were seen leaving flowers and heartfelt messages at the location where she was killed, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Several students told police they witnessed Umeh being struck by a vehicle driven by Lamonte Roosevelt Whitaker, 38, as she tried to stop him from speeding. The Cobb County Police Department said the Lithonia resident, who was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, will likely face charges for the accident.

One Lindley Middle School Student who left behind a note and flowers Thursday was in disbelief that Ms. Edna was no longer alive.

"I can't believe this happened, how did this happen, why? She was a very good person," Dayanara Almendarez said to Fox 5.

The school’s principal said grief counselors were being brought to the school to speak with students and staff.

This story was originally published December 1, 2017 at 9:36 AM with the headline "School crossing guard killed while trying to slow down speeding vehicle, Cobb police say."