A Fort Mill crossing guard filed a lawsuit alleging the school district and SCDOT knew about dangerous conditions on Fort Mill Parkway and failed to act before she was struck by a car outside Catawba Ridge High School.
Leslie Richardson, a York County resident who worked as a crossing guard, filed the suit Sept. 17 in York County Court of Common Pleas against the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Fort Mill School District 4 and the driver who allegedly hit her, Nathan R. Pigford of Fort Mill. The case number is 2026CP4603376.
The complaint, first reported by WBTV, alleges Richardson was working near the high school at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, when Pigford drove east on Fort Mill Parkway at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a vehicle stopped by driver Ryan Fleming. That collision pushed Fleming's vehicle into Richardson, causing what the complaint calls "severe, life-changing injuries."
Richardson was employed by Everything Parking Inc., doing business as Cross Safe, under a crossing guard services agreement with the district. The district chose the locations where guards were posted, according to the complaint.
Her attorney, Kyle White of the Anderson-based White, Davis & White Law Firm, told WBTV the government knew about a dangerous situation for crossing guards in the area and did nothing to meaningfully fix it. He added that Richardson continues to experience pain and likely will for the rest of her life.
The complaint alleges Richardson was the fourth crossing guard struck by traffic in the district within six years. Seven months before her injury, crossing guard Stanley Brucker was hit while working at the entrance to Fort Mill Elementary School on Springfield Parkway on March 21, 2024. The York County Coroner's Office confirmed Brucker died of his injuries. The district agreed in July 2026 to pay Brucker's family $200,000 to settle the resulting wrongful death claim, according to Fort Mill Sun reporting.
In April 2024, the district adopted a resolution asking SCDOT to reduce school speed zones and add signals, signage and other safety measures. According to the complaint, SCDOT responded with limited additional signage and brush removal but did not implement other requested changes before Richardson was hurt.
The complaint alleges gross negligence against the district and SCDOT for selecting an unsafe crossing location, failing to correct known hazards and failing to warn. It seeks punitive damages from Pigford. The filing does not name a specific dollar figure but argues damages exceed $100,000 and that multiple "occurrences" under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act could allow recovery above $1 million.
Both SCDOT and the school district told WBTV they could not comment because of the pending litigation.
The district told WBTV it has taken steps during the 2025-2026 school year, including painted and signed crosswalks and partnerships with local police assigned at certain intersections. SCDOT, the town of Fort Mill and state leaders also worked with the district to install a stoplight in front of Catawba Ridge High School.
Michael Marx, who lives near the school, told WBTV the stoplight has helped but that speeding remains a problem. "People are oblivious. I mean, I've seen them blow right past them," Marx said.
The Rock Hill Herald reported the case is scheduled for a dispute resolution hearing in April 2027. No trial date has been set.
