Hernando County crossing guard back at work after being struck by hit-and-run driver

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A familiar face is all smiles returning to his post.

Nicholas Gallicchio, a dedicated school crossing guard, has made a full recovery after he and his co-worker Donald Jenkins were victims in a hit-and-run.

“I miss the kids,” Gallicchio said. “I miss their smiling faces in the morning, coming back they are grumpy, but I get a smile out of them just to cheer them up.”

Last year, it happened on the Northcliffe and Deltona intersection where Gallicchio and Jenkins were standing in the median when Robert Noack, 54, struck them while trying to escape from another crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

“When I turned around, we saw the car right on top of us,” Gallicchio said. “I grabbed my partner’s arm to pull him. The next thing I know I woke up on the ground.”

Gallicchio is once again helping kids get back to school safely just in time for the first day, proof some heroes do wear reflective vests.

“I can’t wait for him to come back,” Gallicchio said. “I miss my partner being here with me.”

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