Clearwater, FL : Memorial grows for crossing guard killed in Clearwater on May 20th 2014

A memorial continues to grow for a retired police officer, turned crossing guard in Clearwater. Doug Carey, 70, was hit and killed Tuesday morning at Belcher Road and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. The driver took off after the crash, abandoning his two small daughters. Julius Johnson, 28, was arrested a short time later.

Flowers, cards, and candles are now on display at the intersection where Carey spent years helping other children safely cross the road.

"My wife wanted me to bring some flowers and a candle and when I came down here, all the candles had blown out," said Clearwater resident Gary Johnson. "So I came back with some matches, just so people could see, when they come by, what happened and maybe somebody could slow down or not run this red light again."

Carey served as a Clearwater Police Officer for 20 years. He was remembered fondly by a parade of people who came to the intersection to drop off handwritten notes, coffee, and donuts in his honor.

"Doug always makes me and my son laugh. He's always a nice guy and I just hate to see his life took-en so fast,” said Gary Johnson.

Julius Johnson will make his first appearance before a Pinellas County judge Tuesday afternoon on charges, including leaving the scene of an accident involving death and child neglect. His 2 and 4-year-old daughters were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Source :
Memorial grows for crossing guard killed in Clearwater