SELMA – A Selma resident sadly passed away in a tragic accident on Monday, April 7 at 11:32am. The accident occurred on US 70, between Interstate 95 and US 301. Selma Police and family members have confirmed the identity of the deceased as John Moulton. Moulton, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, had been living in Selma since 2021.
His nephew, Dave Powers, said Moulton was traveling on his bicycle to a nearby business to have his cell phone repaired when his uncle died.
Selma Police said Moulton was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of US 70. As he approached the bridge overpass, he attempted to move his bicycle to the curb area but fell to the pavement. An approaching tractor trailer dump truck had moved over to pass Moulton but, tragically, the 59-year-old man fell into the path truck and died instantly.
Police tell The Johnston County Report that no charges will be filed against the truck driver who stopped at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
Dave Powers says he is still coming to grips with his uncle’s death. “He was a phenomenal individual. He was a man of many hats. He once worked as an exterminator, was a bowler, loved to golf, and considered himself to be a life-coach at times. He would go with the flow, wherever the wind would take him. He had a heart of gold.”
Powers does not blame the truck driver. “God bless the driver. It was an unfortunate accident.”
Moulton had been living with a family in Selma for the past four years, who had provided him with a warm home. In exchange, he was their groundskeeper and caretaker for their pets.
“It’s an absolute bewilderment that he is not here anymore. It’s so weird to think someone as loving, caring, warm, and welcoming as he is, it’s tragic to think someone who cared the way he did, is no longer with us.”
Powers shared a story about when he was a child and his own parents were going through a divorce. “Uncle John was always checking on his family. He picked me up for ice cream and made sure I was okay. It’s so unfortunate this is how the tale of John Moulton came to an end.”
Moulton is survived by two brothers and two sisters.
Joint Memorial Service Planned With Late Father
No local services are planned. His remains will be cremated and returned to Rhode Island.
John Moulton’s father, Frank, died of pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. Frank was cremated at the time of his death but did not want to be buried alone, Powers said.
A joint memorial service and internment of ashes for Frank and John Moulton will be held at a later date in Rhode Island.
My condolences goes out to his family..May God give you strength and peace in the coming days.
Very sad. God bless
So many years ago John stayed with us in North Kingstown in the early 80s. We always found
him to be polite and good company. He did march to a different drummer but that made him more interesting. We were the parents and John was a friend of one of my children and at that time he needed a place to stay. However, he respected us not as friends but adults that he was grateful to for giving him help at that time.
We were saddened by `the news of his death so tragically. May he rest in peace.
CM