John Miro, crossing guard hit in Merrick crash, has died, charges upgraded against driver in crash

A Nassau County school crossing guard — who last week was struck by a pickup truck driven by a man allegedly under the influence of drugs — has died, officials confirmed Friday.

Authorities have said John Miro, 70, of Massapequa, was at the busy intersection of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue in Merrick on Feb. 26 when the truck jumped on the sidewalk and hit him. Miro, who had just helped students cross the road, sustained broken ribs, a punctured lung, skull fractures and brain bleeding, authorities said.

The truck driver, Joshua Alvarado, 30, of Rosedale, Queens, who was initially charged with second-degree assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs and vehicular assault. He pleaded not guilty to those charges on Jan. 27.

But Friday, those charges were upgraded to second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault following Miro's death, the Nassau County Police Department announced.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement Friday of Miro's death: “Sad to hear of the passing of our beloved and dedicated crossing guard, John Miro. Our hearts go out to his family and to all crossing guards who perform a great service to our young people.”

Blakeman said he ordered all county flags to fly at half-staff from Friday until the day of Miro’s burial.

Kris Kalender, president of the union that represents crossing guards and other Nassau employees, said the entire CSEA Local 830 community was mourning the death of their “beloved” colleague.

“He was a great man with a great reputation that loved what he did, and it’s a tragic event,” he said. “We’re going to continue to make sure all our crossing guards are safe and continue to support the family in the best way we can.”

A spokeswoman on Friday shared a statement sent by local school officials to families informing them of Miro's death.

"We know the comfort he brought to so many of our families in the school community. He was a familiar face each morning and afternoon and a reassuring presence," the statement said. "He greeted our children with kindness and patience while helping them cross safely, often brightening their day with a smile or wave. His service to our community was meaningful, and his absence will certainly be felt."

The statement was sent by Merrick schools Superintendent Diana Ketcham, Merrick Avenue Middle School Principal Katelyn Dunn and Sanford H. Calhoun High School interim acting principal Michael Hughes.

Staff will be available to provide support to students and families, they said.

Prosecutors said the driver, Alvarado, had fallen asleep in the left turn lane from Sunrise Highway onto Merrick Avenue and was awakened by motorists honking their horns behind him. He acknowledged that he had taken Xanax and other drugs, prosecutors said.

His attorney, George Vomvolakis, has said that his client has post-traumatic stress disorder. He said Alvarado took the drugs the night before and that they were legally prescribed.He is scheduled to return to court on Monday.

Vomvolakis did not return a request for comment Friday.