The Solicitor’s Office Explains Why No Charges Were Filed In The Death Of A Fort Mill Crossing Guard

FORT MILL, S.C. – Authorities determined that no criminal charges will be filed in connection to the death of a Fort Mill crossing guard last week.

The incident happened at approximately 3 p.m. during afternoon dismissal on Thursday, March 21st.

Stanley Brucker, 61, was working as a crossing guard at Fort Mill Elementary School when a vehicle hit him. He was transported by an ambulance to Piedmont Medical Center in Fort Mill where he later died.

This conclusion came as a result of a lengthy investigation by the Fort Mill Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Officials with the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office provided the following information about why the decision was made to not charge the driver:

The 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office was asked to review evidence gathered by the Fort Mill Police Department (FMPD) during their investigation of a motor vehicle collision on Springfield Pkwy in front of Fort Mill Elementary School which resulted in the death of Stanley Eugene Brucker, on the afternoon of March 21, 2024.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol assisted FMPD in their investigation. Their findings were referred to the Solicitor’s Office for what is commonly referred to as a fatality review to determine whether the evidence supports the filing of criminal charges. The information submitted by FMPD included statements from several eye witnesses and video captured by a school bus stopped at the exit of the school during the incident.

After reviewing the information submitted, the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office advised that the evidence does not support a criminal charge. Members of the Solicitor’s Office met with FMPD and members of the decedent’s family prior to releasing their charging decision and details of the investigation to the public.

Video footage of the incident provided a clear depiction of what occurred. The video shows Mr. Brucker standing in the median in the middle of Springfield Pkwy, with a hand-held stop sign, directing traffic. He was not escorting children across the road. He was turned sideways in the roadway, facing the direction of the school and the school bus, which was preparing to turn onto Springfield Pkwy from the school. The hand-held stop sign was facing the school bus, not towards approaching vehicles on Springfield Pkwy. Seconds prior to the collision, Mr. Brucker stepped into the lane of travel closest to the school, and into the path of the approaching vehicle that struck him. Mr. Brucker did not display the stop sign toward the approaching driver, nor did he look in that direction prior to stepping into the roadway. There is no indication that the driver of the vehicle was driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. FMPD concluded that she was not at fault in causing the wreck.

Regrettably, this is a tragic accident for both Mr. Brucker and the driver of the vehicle. We extend our condolences to all who have been impacted by this event.