Royse City ISD mourns loss of cherished crossing guard fatally struck by vehicle

Royse City ISD is mourning the death of an employee who was fatally struck by a car this week while she was working as a crossing guard.

The Fate Department of Public Safety said a motorist hit the crossing guard — identified by the district as Melissa Williams — around 7:30 a.m. Monday near Miss May Vernon Elementary School in the 100 block of Miss May Drive. The school is in Fate but is part of Royse City ISD.

The motorist, whose identity has not been disclosed, may have been experiencing a medical problem at the time of the crash, the department said. The motorist also hit a vehicle, it said.

In a written statement shared over social media, Royse City ISD Superintendent Kevin Worthy said Williams was a beloved staff member who joined the district in 2007. She became a teacher’s aide in 2009, most recently working with pre-kindergarteners, and in 2019 was nominated for Vernon Elementary “Support Staff of the Year” honors, Worthy said.

“To put it simply, she was deeply loved by students and staff,” Worthy wrote. “This loss has a profound impact on the school community at Miss May Vernon and the RCISD staff.”

Worthy said the district has made mental health counseling available to staff and students.

News of Williams’ death has drawn responses from around the community, including Fate Mayor David Billings, who asked people to turn to prayer.

“Our hearts go out to the families involved in this accident,” Billings said in a prepared statement. “As a community, let us continue to come together and support one another in prayer and deed during this difficult time.”

After the incident, the Fate City Council had a moment of silence at Monday’s meeting and a vigil was held that evening at Robert Smith Family Park, across the street from the school.

The crash remained under investigation, Fate police said.