Family, friends want justice for fallen crossing guard

Taylor Robinson wants justice for her grandmother.

Emma Taylor, who Robinson said raised her, died Wednesday at the age of 73 after she was injured in a hit-and-run. Taylor, a former police officer and a crossing guard at Jesse Boyd Elementary, on Oct. 30 was helping students cross Fernwood Glendale Road when investigators said a black sedan struck her and drove away. She died a week later at Spartanburg Medical Center.

On Sunday afternoon, Robinson said Taylor’s family, friends and members of the community will march on Fernwood Glendale Road to memorialize her grandmother and ask for justice.

“Me and my family can’t get any rest until we find the person who hit my grandma,” she said. “… She was the backbone in our family.”

Trooper Joe Hovis with the state Highway Patrol said an investigation is ongoing, but few details are available. The charge of hit-and-run resulting in death carries a potential penalty of 25 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Taylor, who was named state crossing guard of the year several years ago, was a central part of her family, Robinson said, and she and her relatives are eager to see the person who hit her grandmother brought to justice.

She said she’s hopeful the driver will come forward.

“Just turn yourself in,” she said. “Help us. Help us just to get closure and make peace with all of this. Because it’s heartbreaking.”

The walk begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Panda Express on Fernwood Glendale Road and ends at Jesse Boyd Elementary, Robinson said.

“Hopefully somebody has information on the car or the person,” she said. “We want somebody to come forward with any information.”

Students and faculty at Jesse Boyd Elementary will also honor Taylor, or "Ms. Emma" as the schoolchildren called her, Friday during a fun run.