An elderly man was hit and killed by a vehicle Thursday while crossing the street to his mailbox on the other side.

The accident took place at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday, when Jake Rogers, 89, a resident of 3188 Market St. Ext., north of Washington, stepped into the road and was hit by the driver of a silver Pontiac G6.

Multiple units responded from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Old Ford Volunteer Fire Department and Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS, blocking off the road until the East Care helicopter could land in the field across from Rogers’ house.

Rogers suffered broken bones and facial lacerations and was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where he later died.

Neighbor Perry Ellison Jr. said he heard the collision from his home but didn’t immediately recognize what had happened. He referred to the fact that Rogers was lucid after the accident as a miracle, but said similar near-accidents between Rogers and passing vehicles had occurred in the past.

“There was nothing that boy could have done (to avoid hitting him),” Ellison said.

While the speed limit is 55 mph and there is no indication that speeding was a factor in the collision, Ellison said speeding is prevalent on Market Street Extension just north of Wares Chapel Road and poses a danger to residents in the small community of homes there.

“I think the whole road should be 45 mph,” Ellison said.

Rogers leaves behind two daughters, Brenda and Sharon. His wife Dorothy, son Jerry and son Jesse preceded him in death.

The State Highway Patrol said there might be charges pending against the driver, but it will not be determined until Monday. The driver has not been identified.