DELIVERED WITH LOVE: USPS carrier supported after wreck

Jessica Bennett delivers packages with care on her Concord route and after being involved in a recent wreck, she has been the recipient of care packages from generous friends and members of the community. She was on her route Monday, Oct. 7 when her delivery Jeep was hit from behind and flipped on its side.

“The truck slammed into my jeep and as my jeep went to spin around, his trailer clipped me and caused me to roll two to three times and hit a tree,” said Jessica. “It was super crazy. I never saw it coming so my eyes were wide open the entire time and I didn’t think it was ever going to stop. It was the scariest day of my life and I am so blessed to be here.”

The driver of the other vehicle fled from the scene of the wreck and was arrested about 24 minutes later. Steven Kelson, 43, of Griffin, faces charges of failure to maintain lane and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. He was driving a white Ford F-250 with an enclosed trailer when he attempted to pass the delivery vehicle. A citizen witnessed the accident and reported it to the sheriff’s office.

Jessica Bennett has worked for the U.S. Postal Service for eight years and has delivered mail on her current Concord route for five years. She is suffering from several injuries and will be out of work until the end of November as she completes therapy. She said since the wreck, different people have provided her family – including her husband and three boys – with meals each evening.

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me with calls, texts, cards and visits each day since the accident,” she said. “The community has delivered such an amazing, loving outpouring to me, I’ve never seen anything like it before. I want to thank Terri Webster and Kristy Rivera for doing the meal trains and being there.”

“I really want to thank Terri Webster for always being there for me and helping me get another mail vehicle. Thank you to Frank’s Filling Station for always supporting this mail lady every day and so much since the accident. Chris Watson has been amazing and has prayed over our family.”

Funds are being raised to purchase another vehicle for Jessica to use on her route when she returns to work and the vehicle must be modified with special equipment so she can drive it from the right side as she delivers. Donations can be made to Terri at Frank’s Filling Station or online at mealtrain.com/trains/nw1o1d (or search Meal Train for Jessica Bennett).