News Summary
An 84-year-old man, James Hofler, tragically lost his life after being hit by a USPS vehicle driven by a 53-year-old woman. The incident occurred while Hofler was walking to his mailbox in Kill Devil Hills, NC. Emergency services responded quickly, but despite efforts, Hofler succumbed to his injuries a few days later. The driver has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. This incident highlights the need for improved pedestrian safety in residential areas.
KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC
An 84-year-old man named James Hofler has died after being struck by a vehicle operated by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The tragic incident took place on May 19 at approximately 2 p.m. in the 2000 block of Portsmouth Street.
The accident involved a 2021 Mercedes-Benz mail carrier truck, which was being driven by 53-year-old Amy Hudler. Reports indicate that Hudler was backing the vehicle northbound on Portsmouth Street when Hofler, who was walking across the road to check his mailbox, was struck.
Emergency services were contacted immediately by Hudler, who remained at the scene after the collision, cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities. Responding to the emergency call, Dare County EMS and the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department quickly arrived at the location.
Once on the scene, medical personnel discovered Hofler had sustained serious injuries. He was first transported to Outer Banks Health Hospital in Nags Head for immediate care. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to a higher-level medical facility to receive further treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, Hofler succumbed to his injuries on May 22, just days after the accident. This unfortunate event has deeply affected the community, prompting the Kill Devil Hills Police Department to express their condolences to Hofler’s family.
In the aftermath of the incident, an investigation was conducted, which concluded with Amy Hudler facing charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. This charge reflects the legal repercussions of the accident, which has raised concerns about pedestrian safety in the area.
The police department has taken this opportunity to advise the public on the importance of being vigilant while driving. They urged locals and visitors alike to remain alert and cautious, particularly in areas with pedestrian traffic, in an effort to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
This incident underlines the risks that pedestrians face, especially the elderly, in urban areas where vehicular and pedestrian access intersect. The community is mourning the loss of James Hofler, whose tragic passing serves as a reminder of the critical need for safety measures in the vicinity of mailboxes and pedestrian pathways.
Further updates regarding the ongoing legal proceedings against Hudler will follow as they become available. The community remains hopeful that this event will catalyze discussions around improving safety for pedestrians, especially in neighborhoods with active postal delivery routes.
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Additional Resources
- 13 News Now
- Wikipedia: Pedestrian Safety
- WAVY
- Google Search: Kill Devil Hills pedestrian accident
- WITN
- Google Scholar: Pedestrian Safety Measures
- 13 News Now Video Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pedestrian Accidents
- WITN: Greenville Man Charged
- Google News: Kill Devil Hills mail truck incident
