Soldier hit, killed on All American Freeway identified

Fayetteville police said that Lightfoot got out of a 2000 Jeep near the Cliffdale Road exit around 3 a.m. after arguing with the driver, identified as Christine Gail Pearce, 39, of Yorktown, Va.

Initially, police said they believed that Lightfoot next started to walk on the northbound shoulder toward Fort Bragg and was then hit by the Jeep.

However, a preliminary wreck report issued Saturday says that Lightfoot was riding on the hood of the Jeep and that he fell off onto the pavement when Pearce tried to slow down.

The Jeep was going 40 mph at the time of impact, according to the wreck report. The Jeep traveled 90 feet after impact, and Lightfoot traveled 93 feet. The speed limit in the area is 55 mph.

The preliminary wreck report is subject to change, police said.

Police questioned Pearce Friday to determine with the incident was an accident or intentional. No charges had been filed as of Saturday morning.

Lightfoot, a native of Beaumont, Texas, served as watercraft engineer with the Marine Operations Committee, Operations Detachment, Group Support Battalion, 3rd SFG (A).

He enlisted in the Army in June 2000 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., followed by advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va. He was stationed with the 558th Transportation Company (Marine Maintenance), 6th Transportation Battalion at Eustis until his transfer to Bragg in June 2008.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He also held an associates of arts degree from Grantham University in Kansas City, Mo.

Lightfoot is survived by his mother Karen Lightfoot, of Graysville, Tenn.; father, Leslie Lightfoot, of Beaumont, Texas; and sister Candace Lightfoot, of Chattanooga, Tenn.