Monroe police officer hit by vehicle while directing traffic at school out of hospital

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A police officer was hit by a vehicle while directing traffic at a school in Monroe Monday morning, authorities said.

Union County officials said the incident happened at around 8 a.m. at Apprentice Academy High School on Weddington Road. The off-duty officer was directing traffic near the entrance when he was struck.

The officer was taken to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries and has since been released. Monroe police said he is at home receiving outpatient care.

“Thank God it wasn’t any of my students, but I feel for the police officer and his family and I’m sure the driver is shook up too. I just hope everybody makes it,” Principal Barry Ross said.

Ross said traffic on Weddington Road can be a mess. It was why about a month ago, he started hiring off-duty officers to help direct traffic in the mornings and afternoons.

“I’m not a traffic engineer but you don’t have to be a traffic engineer to figure out … there’s no stop light here. I need to make sure my students can turn left or right easier or the easiest as they can,” Ross said.

Monroe police haven’t said what caused the crash or if the driver will be charged.

Ross said Monroe police will continue to provide off-duty officers while one of their own recovers.

“Traffic isn’t going to get any lighter on 84, and or any other Union County road, so we definitely need it. And this is one of the main east west roads in Union County,” Ross said.

Channel 9′s Gina Esposito said she noticed there is no school zone there or no reduced speed limit signs. Ross said the school just moved into the building last year, so drivers may not be familiar with the increased traffic and the need to slow down.

No other details have been released.

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