Long Island crossing guard dies days after being struck by car

Editor's note: The video above aired in a previous newscast. MERRICK, N.Y. ( PIX11) – A 70-year-old crossing guard, who was hit by a car after helping a child across a busy Long Island highway, has died about a week after the tragic crash, police said Friday. Josh Miro, 70, of Massaquea, passed away on Friday, police said. Miro was in a struck crash that happened on the corner of Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway, south of the LIRR train station in Merrick, just before 8 a.m. on Feb. 26. The driver, 30-year-old Joshua Alvarado of Queens, failed field sobriety tests at the scene, police said. Alvarado was on his way to work when he passed out at a red light, according to investigators. When the light turned green, he did not move. After other drivers honked at him, he woke up and then drove diagonally through the intersection, mounting the curb, police said. Alvarado struck the crossing guard, who was wearing a full reflective uniform at the time, police said. Alvarado then allegedly fell asleep after the crash. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to using drugs the night before, according to court documents. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung, brain bleeding, and removal of skull fragments, according to court documents. Alvarado was arrested, and bail was set at $500,000. The union, representing Miro, issued the following statement: This story comprises reporting from PIX11 News reporters Nicole Alarcon, Greg Mocker, and Photojournalist Keith Lopez.