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The Nassau County crossing guard critically injured last week after being struck by a pickup truck driven by a man allegedly under the influence of drugs has died, police and union officials confirmed Friday.
John Miro, 70, of Massapequa, died eight days after the Feb. 26 crash at the busy intersection of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, authorities said.
Police previously said Miro had just helped students cross Sunrise Highway shortly after 8 a.m. and was returning to the sidewalk when a white Ford pickup truck jumped the curb and struck him. He suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, skull fractures and bleeding on the brain, officials said.
The driver, identified as Rosedale, Queens, resident Joshua Alvarado, 30, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, vehicular assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors previously said Alvarado had fallen asleep in the left-turn lane from Sunrise Highway onto Merrick Avenue before the crash and was awakened by motorists honking their horns behind him. Authorities said he later acknowledged taking Xanax and other drugs.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said on the day of the crash that Miro was struck “by a driver who was high on some type of drug.”
Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said Miro had just completed assisting pedestrians across Sunrise Highway and was walking back toward the sidewalk when the traffic signal for the turning lane turned green and the truck veered onto the sidewalk.
The crash occurred about 8:03 a.m. near the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station, police said.
Miro’s service praised
In a Facebook post announcing Miro’s death, CSEA Local 830, the union representing Nassau County crossing guards and other county employees, praised his service.
“Crossing guards serve our communities with courage and dedication, standing in the roadway each day to keep our children safe,” the union wrote. “John answered that call of service, and his commitment will not be forgotten.”
Alvarado in the post below is seen being escorted from jail to his a court appearance last week, following his arrest.
Top: Inset photo of Nassau crossing guard (Facebook) and Merrick accident scene photo (GLI file).
