Fellow postal workers, friends and family held a candlelight vigil for Hillary Hicks Wednesday at the Post Office Annex at 10721 ByPass Road in Covington on Wednesday.

A group of about 100 people who knew the late postal carrier listened to songs and speeches of inspiration, and released blue and white baloons in honor of her time with the U.S. Postal Service.

Hicks, 56, of Decatur was killed on Hwy. 81 near Booger Hill Road in Oxford Saturday delivering mail.

She had pulled over to the right on Highway 81 northbound. According to witnesses, Hicks pulled onto the east shoulder of Highway 81. As Charles Reisinger, 58, of Akron, Ohio, attempted to pass the mail truck on the left, Hicks pulled back onto the road while attempting to make a left turn into a private drive to deliver mail.

Reisinger, who was traveling with his 8-year-old son, told Georgia State Patrol officers he had attempted to avoid the collision by steering right. Witness Shepherd Davis of Lawrenceville, reported that Reisinger had nowhere to go and everything happened so fast.

The mail truck was struck from behind, rotated counterclockwise while overturning, coming to a stop 33 feet away on private drive.

According to Post Master Deborah Kinsey, Hicks had been working at the post office for approximately 10 years. “She was just an outstanding carrier. It’s been pretty emotional. Our carriers are supporting each other, talking about safety every day. We have some new carriers here and they’re a little afraid.”

Kinsey said grief counselors have been brought in to assist carriers dealing with the loss. Post Offices nearby have lent carriers and the district leaders have been very supportive of the carriers.

“We’re dealing with it,” she said. “We’ve got a good group of people here.”