Earnest Hite, Jr., a prevention coordinator with the organization known as Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV), passed away suddenly Jan. 14. He was 53.
Hite died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into an oncoming garbage truck on U.S. Route 20 in Porter, Ind., according to The Beacon News.
Porter Police Chief Jamie Spanier told Windy City Times that ‘ [a] t the time of the crash, we had extremely bad weather with the roads being snow-covered and slick. Impact occurred in the garbage truck lane, with the passenger side rear quarter panel of [Hite’s vehicle] hitting the front of the truck.’
Hite was transported to Porter Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
BEHIV Executive Director Eric Nelson issued the following statement:
‘Everyone at BEHIV is deeply saddened by the passing of our Prevention Manager, Earnest Edward Hite. Earnest was an important part of our family and our staff and this is a very difficult time for the entire agency.
‘Earnest’s knowledge of and experience in the Prevention field helped BEHIV to dramatically expand the scope of services provided to our community in the past two years. He understood the need for increased testing and counseling opportunities for at-risk communities and worked very hard to forge new relationships and partnerships to provide these services. We will honor Earnest’s work by continuing to reach out to those people at risk for infection, or at risk of infecting others.
‘We appreciate the kind words which have been extended to his BEHIV family and we ask that you include his biological and chosen family in your thoughts and prayers.’
Services were held Sat., Jan. 19, at Salem Baptist Church, 500 E. Park (on the corner of 5th and Park), Champaign, Ill.
ADODI, an organization of which Hite was president during the years 2003-2005, will hold a tribute to him Sat., Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted.