Suspect in school crossing guard's death charged

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Officers have arrested a man accused of hitting and killing a Cobb County school crossing guard while she was on the job last month. 

Lamonte Roosevelt Whitaker, 38, has been charged with vehicular homicide in the first degree and reckless driving. 

Whitaker is accused of killing 63-year-old Edna Umeh, who was struck by his red 2016 Ford Focus SE on November 30 while directing traffic outside Lindley Middle School. Police said Whitaker was speeding through the school zone when Umeh was hit.  

Umeh was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect had to be cut from his vehicle before being taken to Grady Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries. 

Whitaker turned himself into authorities around 5 p.m. Thursday after being released from the hospital.

"Ms. Edna," as everyone called her, had been a crossing guard for about five years. Her brother told FOX 5 she knew it was a dangerous job, but loved helping the kids. 

"I would observe cars that even though she had her sign up and her vest on, cars would fly by her," said Don Michael Lowery.

Lowery said this should be a lesson for all of us to slow down.

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