A Las Vegas crossing guard is being credited with protecting a mother and her two young children after a speeding driver approached them in a school-zone crosswalk, as reported by The New York Post.
Kae’la Leon Guerrero was walking with her 5-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son near Pinecrest Academy St. Rose on the morning of Aug. 26 when a vehicle came rapidly toward the crosswalk, according to Fox5.
Dashcam footage captured the moment crossing guard Richard Jones stepped into the vehicle’s path as the car approached the family. Jones, who works with All City Management Services, said the vehicle was traveling at about 35 mph in a 15 mph school zone.
A local family is showing their appreciation to a crossing guard who risked his life to protect them from a speeding vehicle last week.
On Tuesday, Kae’la Leon Guerrero and her two children surprised Pinecrest Academy St. Rose crossing guard Richard Jones with a thank-you gift… pic.twitter.com/FixdhYqJXp
— FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) September 2, 2026
The video shows Jones moving toward the vehicle and stopping it before it reached Guerrero and her children.
Guerrero said she and her children saw the vehicle coming but did not initially realize how quickly it was approaching.
“And from a distance, we saw a car coming, but not knowing that he was speeding towards us,” Guerrero told the outlet.
She said Jones’ intervention prevented what could have been a much more serious incident.
“If that cross guard didn’t jump in front of that car, something bad would have definitely happened,” she said.
The driver left the scene following the incident. Guerrero said the encounter left her children shaken.
Jones said he was simply doing what he believed was required of him while working at the school-zone crossing.
“I don’t know how many times I said thank you for what happened yesterday, but he’s an amazing man. And my kids thank him every day actually,” Guerrero said of Jones.
Jones responded modestly when asked about his actions.
“Honestly I just try to do the job the best way I can,” Jones humbly responded.
The crossing guard’s actions also drew attention from other people who were in the area. While Jones was being interviewed, a group of people crossing the street called out to him.
“Hey Richard you’re a hero!” they yelled.
Guerrero’s son later gave Jones a care package as a thank-you for stepping in to protect the family. The package included restaurant gift certificates, a handwritten note expressing appreciation, and a neck fan intended to help Jones stay cool while working outside.
The incident highlights the role crossing guards play around school zones, where drivers are expected to slow down and watch for children and pedestrians.
Jones told Fox5 that the vehicle was traveling more than twice the posted speed limit when it approached the crossing.
The school zone had a 15 mph speed limit, while Jones estimated that the car was moving at approximately 35 mph.
For Guerrero, the moment left little doubt about the difference Jones made that morning.
The mother repeatedly thanked the crossing guard for stepping into the vehicle’s path and credited him with protecting her children during the close call.
The dashcam footage has since provided a visual record of the incident, showing just how quickly the situation developed and how Jones reacted.
Rather than remaining at a distance, the crossing guard moved toward the approaching vehicle and helped bring the situation to an end before it reached the family.
Guerrero’s son has now added a personal gesture of thanks by giving Jones the care package in recognition of his actions.
For Jones, however, the response remains straightforward: He was doing the job he was there to do. For the family he helped, that job made an important difference on a busy school morning.
