Died October 14, 1933
Driver Held Blameless in Traffic Death
A coroner's jury this morning exonerated P.C. Stradley, R.R. 6, South Bend, in the death of L.C. Page, 44, Niles, killed instantly at 7 o'clock Saturday evening when he walked into the path of Stradley's car at the intersection of US-31 and Fort St. Joseph avenue.
Stradley was the only witness at the inquest held at the Rutherford Funeral home by Justice Robert Roebeck, who acted in the capacity of coroner. Stradley said he was driving into Niles at about 40 miles an hour, and had just swung into the north bound inner traffic lane to pass a truck ahead of his car when Page walked into his path.
CARRIED BY CAR
The victim was carried 150 feet on the fender of Stradley's car. Stradley said he did not stop sooner because he feared the victim might be jarred off the fender upon the pavement. Finding Page dead when the car was stopped, Stradley carried him off the pavement and summoned the police, who in turn summoned Justice Roebeck. The body was removed to the Rutherford Funeral home.Stradley said it was apparent that Page did not see his car approaching and walked past the truck, which held the outer lane, without thought of danger. He apparently did not see the Stradley car at all before it struck him. Stradley said he saw the side of Page's face in the light from the truck headlight, but that Page did not turn his head toward his car. Page was attempting to cross the four lane highway from the east side.
LOCATE COUSIN
Authorities were unable to locate any close relatives of the dead man today.He is known to have been married and divorced and to have one child by his former wife, who is reported to have remarried. Where she is living now is not known. Charles Strong, a cousin, was located at Terre Haute, Ind., but said he was financially unable to take charge of the burial.
Page had moved only Friday from 604 North Second street to a house on Fort St. Joseph avenue a short distance east of the super-highway. He was believed to have been going to the neighborhood grocery on the west side of the highway.
Members of the coroner's jury were Harold Tomlinson, Leland Hamilton, Glenn West, Charles Heady, Orin Davis and Brayton Yaw. The jury deliberated only a few minutes before rendering a verdict finding death was due to an unavoidable accident.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 16, 1933, page 1, col 6, microfilm Niles District Library)