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EDEN - A school crossing guard died after being hit by a sport utility vehicle Monday morning in front of Draper Elementary School.

Bennie Thomas Eanes, 85, died at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where he was airlifted following the 7:43 a.m. crash.

Eden police said James Anthony Stallings, 40, of 1836 E. Stadium Drive was driving a 1999 Honda Passport and was making a left turn out of the school parking lot.

The vehicle struck Eanes as he stood in the middle of the road directing traffic at the school, located at 1719 E. Stadium Drive.

Eanes was initially rushed to Morehead Hospital and later airlifted. He died at 2:19 p.m., police said.

Family members described Eanes as a hard worker who took the job as a crossing guard around 10 years ago as a way to give back to his community.

"It was his way of helping others," said his stepson Darryl Tilley. "He loved being around people and adored helping them."

Tilley said Eanes retired after a career working with the mentally handicapped at the Opportunity Center and also worked with the city's parks department.

Rodney Shotwell, superintendent of Rockingham County Schools, said that Eanes was well loved in the community and had connections with many students from Draper Elementary through high school.

"He was truly part of the Draper School family," Shotwell said. "Our hearts go out to the families involved in this tragic event, and our sympathies are with them."

The incident marks the third serious accident in as many weeks where Rockingham County authorities have been called to involving a pedestrian struck in a school zone or bus stop.

"We want drivers to be more aware of their surroundings - anticipate that child walking out in front of you, that bus stopping in front of you and be aware of the school bus stop laws," said Capt. Reese Pyrtle of the Eden Police Department said.

"These are tragic events that didn't need to happen."

Stallings was charged with one count each of careless and reckless driving and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

He was being held at the Rockingham County jail in Wentworth on a $10,000 bond Monday evening.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com