Philadelphia crossing guard who witnessed crash goes viral after interview

A Philadelphia crossing guard became an unexpected viral sensation after giving a passionate television interview, while casually eating an ice cream cone, moments after witnessing a violent crash involving a stolen utility truck near an elementary school playground.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when 18-year-old Robert Littlepage, of Douglasville, Georgia, allegedly tried to carjack a woman on the 6300 block of Grays Avenue in Philadelphia, investigators said.

Police said that after that failed attempt, Littlepage then stole a white utility truck that was still running nearby.

Police said Littlepage then sped down the street and struck a parked SUV on Elmwood Avenue. He then jumped a curb, drove along a sidewalk and then ran a red light at 55th Street and Kingsessing Avenue, slamming into another vehicle in a crash that was captured on video.

Police said Littlepage then slammed into two other parked cars before the utility truck overturned on the playground of S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School.

Right after, NBC10 Philadelphia Photojournalist Jason Ryan spoke to Jamele Ransom, a crossing guard who witnessed the crash.

“He ran the red light, t-boned the lady,” Ransom said. “I’m bobbing and weaving. I’m just thankful. Thankful to be alive right now. Thank you, Jesus.”

Ransom also claimed he pulled a child from one of the vehicles after the crash.

“I grab a kid out, because he’s stuck, frantic, pull him out,” Ransom said while eating ice cream. “Ain’t nobody in there. Guy’s in there. He’s trapped in there. Then I run out and get myself together because my heart is boom, boom, boom, boom.”

Littlepage was captured shortly after by responding police officers. He was taken to the hospital for an evaluation before being arrested and charged. No children were at the playground during the crash and no students were hurt.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, it was Ransom’s animated interview with NBC10 Philadelphia, complete with a sideways crossing guard hat, sunglasses and bites of ice cream, that quickly exploded online.

The interview, shared on NBC10 Philadelphia’s Instagram and TikTok, had garnered nearly 10 million views in total as of Thursday afternoon.

People in Philadelphia and beyond have praised Ransom’s personality, composure and quick-thinking actions following the crash.

The Philadelphia Phillies even took a screenshot from the interview and used it in a post on X to announce their victory in Wednesday night’s game against the Athletics, winning 6 to 3.