Bay Area postal carrier honored for driving 1 million 'accident-free' miles

Sebastopol Letter Carrier Jeanie Mongaraz-Fletcher has been recognized for driving 1 million miles as a postal carrier without a single accident.  (U.S. Postal Service )

A North Bay postal carrier has been honored for reaching an exceptional milestone: driving 1 million miles on the job without a single accident.

"In a world of constant driver distractions Sebastopol Letter Carrier Jeanie Mongaraz-Fletcher maintained her focus on the safety of herself and others on the road over the course of her 35-year postal career," the U.S. Postal Service said in a news release.

The backstory:

The award, in partnership with the National Safety Council, honors letter carriers who have driven a million miles (or 30 years) in their job without a preventable road incident. 

The "Million Mile Club" distinction is recognized as the nationā€™s highest award for professional safe driving, the postal service noted.

Mongaraz-Fletcher covered her 1 million miles all within the Sebastopol city limits.

What they're saying:

The mail carrier said that when behind the wheel, she's very intentional in her efforts to be alert and observant. 

"Iā€™ve found it an especially good practice here, to take that second, or even third look both ways when pulling into traffic or changing direction," Mongaraz-Fletcher said. "It gives you a chance to see things that were not visible a moment before- a cyclist, a car without its lights on or a band of turkeys that suddenly needed to cross the road."

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Her one million miles is the equivalent of circling the earth 40 times, the U.S. Postal Service said, adding, "all without a moving violation or accident, while maneuvering hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and avoiding careless drivers along the way."

Mail carrier celebrated

On Wednesday, a ceremony was held at the Sebastopol Post Office to recognize Mongaraz-Fletcherā€™s noteworthy accomplishment. 

She received a special engraved plaque with the "Million Mile Club" emblem.

USPS letter Carrier Jeanie Mongaraz-Fletcher received an award for becoming a member of the National Safety Councilā€™s "Million Mile" club on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Sebastopol, Calif.

Letter carrier Jeanie Mongaraz-Fletcher was honored for driving 1 million miles without a single accident in Sebastopol, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (U.S. Postal Service )

Big picture view:

The agency said its dedicated carriers face a wide range of hazardous road conditions in their role to ensure Americans receive their packages and mail.

A popular motto often associated with the nationā€™s postal workers: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Mongaraz-Fletcher's remarkable 35-year career has demonstrated her commitment to safety, postal officials said.  

"This is a rare accomplishment, as it takes years of safe driving to reach a million miles or 30 years of safe driving," USPS spokesperson Kristina Uppal told KTVU.

For Mongaraz-Fletcher, she has not taken for granted her driving route, the backdrop of her mobile office.

"Sonoma County is beautiful in both landscape and wildlife," the postal worker said, "a true tourist destination." 

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