Gracie Fusco
•8/12/2026
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A Collier County mom has taken school safety into her own hands after two Oak Ridge Middle School students were hit by cars while walking to school.
Amanda Schultz now spends about 30 minutes each morning standing at the entrance of the Indigo Lakes neighborhood with a stop sign she bought herself, helping children cross Collier Boulevard safely. This isn't her job, but she says somebody has to do it.
"Second day today, crossing the kids myself," Schultz said.
"I'm just trying to do my part and trying to keep the kids safe," she said.
Schultz says her decision came after an Oak Ridge student was hit by a car leaving Meadowood in September 2025. Months later, in April, another child was hit while coming out of Brittany Bay on their way to Oak Ridge.
Dozens of kids walk and ride bikes to school every day, with cars turning out of the neighborhood and making U-turns on Collier Boulevard.
"I come out of Indigo Lakes while school is about to start, and I'm trying to get onto Collier Boulevard, fending the U-turn that comes right in front of Indigo Lakes, and then trying not to hit kids on the way to school," Schultz said.
Schultz says that's a recipe for another crash. She spoke with people at traffic operations, and they put up a bright yellow sign that says "Look both ways" and painted "school" on the road on Collier Boulevard, but Schultz says that isn't enough.
"I'm trying to make awareness that there is a problem here because I see it every day," Schultz said.
The Collier County School District says crossing guard placement is overseen by the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office says the area first has to be evaluated to determine whether it meets the state's definition of a hazardous walking condition.
Schultz says she isn't waiting around for official action.
"Is it going to take a child getting killed for us to do something? Already two have been injured, and this is my solution. It's the best I can do right now," she said.
"They have to get to school safely. That's the most important thing," Schultz said.
Schultz says her goal is to get a crossing guard at Indigo Lakes and another at Meadowood and Brittany Bay. Until then, she says she'll keep showing up and hopes other parents will join her.
