Mars Hill officials are asking the Postal Service for an improved post office building after a tragic accident on December 27th claimed the life of a postal patron. A 65 year old man, whose identity has not yet been released, was walking into the Mars Hill postal facility when he was struck and killed by a mail truck that was backing up. The man was a former math teacher and had recently moved to Marshall from Michigan.
Madison County Emergency Operations Center received the 911 call at 2:48 p.m. on the 27th, stating that a motor vehicle crash had occurred involving a truck and a pedestrian. The mail carrier was attempting to back the box truck into the back parking lot area, where there is a loading dock, when he ran over the man who was apparently coming from the side of the parking lot, where there are six parking spots parallel to N.C. 213/Carl Eller Road.
According to the Mars Hill Police Chief Chad Wilson, the man was with his wife and planned to pick up their mail at the post office but the wife did not witness the incident, as she was getting out of the car.
Wilson and Mars Hill Town Manager Nathan Bennett said they hope the incident would lead to discussion at the federal level about the location, general layout and building/parking lot infrastructure at the Mars Hill post office. There are only 11 parking spaces in the parking lot, making it difficult for the number of people who currently use the facility. Town Manager Nathan Bennett said he feels that it is time for a new location.
