Hit-and-run victim mourned

National Catholic Reporter, July 4, 2003

TUBA CITY, Ariz. -- More than 300 people attended funeral services June 19 in Tuba City for Jim Lee Reed (right), who died in Phoenix after being struck by a car police say was driven by Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien as Reed crossed a street June 14. O'Brien was arrested on a felony charge for leaving the scene of the accident that killed Reed, 43.

The Rev. Warren Fuller, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Assembly of God Church, conducted the service for Reed. Joining Reed's family members and friends were three officials representing the Phoenix diocese: Msgr. Richard W. Moyer, vicar general and moderator of the curia; Msgr. Dale Fushek, vicar general and pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa; and Sister of Charity Mary Ann Winters, the chancellor.

After the service, the three spoke individually with each member of Reed's family, offering prayers, condolences and sympathy.

Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, N.M. was appointed apostolic administrator of the Phoenix diocese June 18 after the Vatican accepted Bishop O'Brien's resignation. News reports said the archbishop's first official act as administrator was to authorize a private plane to transport the three church officials to Tuba for the service.