James Sanborn Jr. flew in from El Paso Tuesday to spend one last Wasatch Front Christmas with James and Joanna Sanborn.
Next year, if he wanted to be with his parents during the holiday season, he'd have to go south. James Sr. and Joanna Sanborn had planned to retire this week. Decembers in Salt Lake City would soon be only a chilly memory. The couple had bought a St. George condominium.Tragically, their dreams died Wednesday when James Sanborn Sr., a Salt Lake County school crossing guard, was struck by a car and killed at a crosswalk while on his final afternoon patrol.
The Kearns man was hit by a vehicle driven by William Phillips, Murray, about 1:45 p.m. after he had escorted a group of students from Bennion Elementary School to a crosswalk curb at 5625 S. 3200 West. Joanna Sanborn, also a crossing guard, had been on duty at a crosswalk two blocks away, police said.
"According to witnesses, Mr. Sanborn had just turned around to get another group of kids and was hit by a car traveling north on 3200 West," said Salt Lake County sheriff's office spokesman Rod Norton.
Sanborn, 63, a crossing guard veteran of nine years, died shortly after being flown to LDS Hospital.
Police do not believe alcohol or excessive speed played a role in the accident, although a conclusive investigation is still pending.
"It doesn't appear that the driver of the car was traveling fast," said Utah Highway Patrol trooper Brent Dunlap. "Because the kids had been excused from class early for the Christmas break, the 20 mph school crossing lights were flashing. The driver remained at the scene and was very cooperative during the whole investigation."
The accident left many area residents angry that public works officials had not taken earlier steps to prevent such mishaps.
"Two kids were hit on their bikes at the same spot in September - and now this," said Allison Shoell, a homeowner who lives on the corner of the busy Kearns intersection. "The county needs to lower the speed limit and install a stoplight. Because of where I live, it seems like I'm always the first one to see the accidents here. I've actually asked the (county) to put me through EMT (emergency medical technician) training."
Salt Lake County Public Works director Lonnie Johnson said departmental findings from recent traffic studies of the area dispute claims that additional stops signs and lights would prevent accidents.
"The real issue may be law enforcement and awareness. Before reaching the crosswalk a driver passes a school zone entrance sign, a flashing school crossing sign, and finally a crosswalk sign," he said.
Sanborn's son said his father will be remembered as a friendly, helpful man.
"Dad enjoyed his job at the crosswalk because he really liked working with the children," said James Sanborn Jr. "He retired from Kennecott 10 years ago and decided to become a crossing guard because it gave him free time to do the things he liked most. He especially loved being involved with the Boy Scouts."
James Sanborn Sr., who was a Murray native, is survived by his wife, three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.