EL PASO, Texas (WSVN) – A 33-year-old mother died Monday while shielding children from a car on the first day of school.
According to the El Paso Times, Kharisma Ashlee James was picking up her children when she was struck by a car in an El Paso school’s parking lot.
James attempted to get in front of the car to protect three children, two of whom are her kids. The children — 6, 7 and 10 years old — were taken to the hospital, the El Paso Times reported. James’ two children have since been released, but the third child, 10-year-old Athindra Kumar, remains in critical condition, according to KFOX.
Police said the driver, 58-year-old Roger Hawking, thought he was backing out of a space but hit the accelerator instead.
“It sounds like the driver was disoriented and confused,” said El Paso Independent School District Police Chief Victor Araiza.
James was an Iraq War veteran and a nurse.
Community members created a GoFundMe account for James’ children. Over $47,000 has been raised since Monday.
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