Actor Obi Ndefo Dies at 51 After Hit-and-Run Crash Loss

Obi Ndefo, the American actor with Nigerian heritage, has passed away at the age of 51. His death comes years after a tragic hit-and-run accident that resulted in the loss of both his legs.

The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed, but the news has been confirmed by his sister and co-stars via social media. Nkem Ndefo, his sister, shared her sorrow on Facebook, expressing her heartbreak over the loss of her younger brother and finding solace in knowing he is now at peace.

A Yale graduate, Ndefo was well-known for his role as Bodie Wells, Katie Holmes’ character’s brother-in-law on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2002. He also made notable appearances in Stargate SG-1 from 2000 to 2005, and had guest roles in popular series such as The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Crossing Jordan, and The District. Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian parents, Ndefo’s diverse roles and enduring presence in television have left a lasting impact.

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mom Gale Leery on the show, dedicated an Instagram post to Ndefo.

‘These words don’t come easy,’ she said. ‘It’s hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend. You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life’s challenges of recent.

‘I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior.’ 

Obi’s death comes after he lost both of his legs after being hit by a car on Aug. 17, 2019.

The actor had been packing up groceries in his parked car after visiting a supermarket in L.A. when an SUV veered out of its lane and crashed into him, severing his right leg and leaving his left leg severely injured and attached only by his skin, per the Los Angeles Times. Obi ended up having his left leg amputated.

Speaking about life after the incident, Obi told the Los Angeles Times, “How do you know how you would handle this? … And anyway, what’s the alternative? … This is just so horrendous what happened to me, why would I compound this by feeling bad about it?”

SEE ALSO: US Supreme Court: Americans Can’t Sue Over Non-Citizen Spouse’s Visa Denial

“… There is no other choice for me. So there’s a sort of rigour to me, and I think, ‘OK my legs are severed. I don’t know how to do this, but I know how to do this.’ ”

Source: LIB