The Era, Bradford, Pa., Friday, October 1, 1954
Crash Involving Three Cars, Truck Fatal to One Man
CLEARFIELD, Pa., Sept. 30 - A collision involving three autos and a tractor trailer killed one man tonight and seriously injured four other persons.
State Policeman Andrew Zavatsky of the Clearfield barracks identified the dead man as Charles Thompson, 65, of West Decatur. The accident occurred on Route 322 in West Decatur, about 15 miles southeast of Clearfield.
The injured were taken to Philipsburg State Hospital.
State police said Thompson was a passenger in one of the autos. They said the collision occurred at an intersection. The truck driver, Oscar Wagner, 33, of Clarion, escaped injury.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Wednesday Evening, November 17, 1954
County Coroner Sets inquest Into Highway Fatality
Clearfield County Coroner Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale announced today that he will hold an inquest at 10 a. m. Saturday, Nov. 20, into the highway death of Charles Thompson, 66, of West Decatur.
The inquest will be held in the West Decatur E. U. B. Church, located not far from the scene of the pile-up of three cars and a heavy truck the night of last Sept. 30.
The inquest has been delayed pending the recovery of four persons who were injured in the accident. The purpose of the inquest is to determine the cause of Mr. Thompson's death.
Dr. Williams said he has chosen the following persons to serve on the coroner's jury for the inquest: Frank Milliard, Millard Milmer, J. B. Tyler, Robert Dugau and Edgar Wilson, all of West Decatur and vicinity, and Joseph Doman of Houtzdale.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Monday Evening, November 22, 1954
Coroners Jury Clears Drivers in West Decatur Fatal Truck-Car Crash
WEST DECATUR - By making no recommendation for prosecution, coroner's jury at an inquest in the West Decatur E.U.B. Church Saturday exonerated all driver involved in the four-vehicle motor accident in which Charles Westley Thompson of West Decatur was killed instantly last Sept. 30.
District Attorney Joseph Ammerman, who assisted in the inquest, said no charges will be brought since there seams to be no evidence of negligence. The jury returned the following statement following a 10-minute recess: "The coroner's jury finds that Charles Thompson died as the result of a collision of the Buick car and the truck at the West Decatur intersection at 6:30 p.m. on September 30."
The car referred to was driven by Fred Larson of Lanse and the victim was a passenger. Other vehicles involved were a tractor-trailor truck driven by Oscar D. Wagner of Clarion; and auto driven by Edward Shaw of West Decatur; and a car operated by Frederick Fletcher of Goshen. The large truck struck both the Larson and Shaw vehicles.
Testifying at the inquest, conducted by Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale, county coroner, were Pvt. Andrew Kranyak of the State Police, William Craven of Philipsburg R.D., Mr. Larson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Marion Willis of West Decatur, who along with a baby in a carriage was also involved in the mishap.
Pvt. Kranyak, investigation officer following the accident, told of going to the scene of the mishap, interviewing the truck driver, taking measurements and checking victims and cars. The investigation showed, he said, that the point of impact was about eight feet from the edge of the Philipsburg-Clearfield highway; the baby carriage was 77 feet from the point of impact; and the truck was eight feet off the road.
William Craven, a witness riding in a car following the Larson machine, testified that the Larson car was traveling slowly when as it attempted to make a left turn into the legislative route which helps form the "Y" intersection. The witness then explained upon questioning by District Attorney Ammerman that he found no evidence of anyone being under the influence of intoxicants.
Mr. Larson, the third person to testify, told of being in Philipsburg shopping and talking to friends, including Mr. Thompson. He met the victim between 5 and 6 p.m. and later started for West Decatur, he said.
In questioning about the scene, he said the truck hit his car first, then the Shaw vehicle, which had pulled up to the main road from the legislative route. His estimated speed in turning was about 15 miles per hour, he said, and he did not see the truck coming and doesn't remember seeing the Shaw vehicle and the intersection.
Mr. Wagner, the truck driver, told of being familiar with the intersection, how he blinked his lights and blew the horn upon seeing the Larson car turned left.
"If I could have seen the Larson car sooner, I could have gone down the legislative route. I was an opening betewwn the Larson and Shaw cars and tried to go between them, rather than hit one of them broadside," the truck driver said.
He estimated his speed at the time of impact at 30 miles per hour, figured he hit both machines at the same time, and said he could not cut left because of more oncoming traffic.
Mr. Fletcher, who was returning to his Clearfield R.D. home on the night of the mishap, told of his being two cars behind Mr. Larson, of seeing the truck coming and telling another person in his car that there was going to be trouble ahead. After being struck by the truck, Mr. Larson's car was jolted back toward Philipsburg, hitting the Fletcher machine a glancing blow.
Mrs. Willis, the final witness in the two-hour proceedings, described the truck's speed as "fast," but could not estimate how fast. Furthermore, she said, she did not see the truck blink its lights or sound its horn, she did not see the Larson car nor the Shaw car and she does not know which vehicle struck her baby carriage, in which a tree-weeks old son, James, was riding. They were facing the truck as it came from Clearfield.
Mr. Shaw was unable to attend the inquest because he is still hospitalized in the Clearfield Hospital under a doctor's orders was not to be removed. However, the coroner explained that the statement was received from him at the hospital, describing how he pulled up at the intersection and how the truck his both the machines at about the same time.
The district attorney, in charging the jurors, emphasized they were not to determine any damages for injury, that they were to determine only the cause of death and make a statement if there were enough evidence to show any criminal responsibility.
Crash Involving Three Cars, Truck Fatal to One Man
CLEARFIELD, Pa., Sept. 30 - A collision involving three autos and a tractor trailer killed one man tonight and seriously injured four other persons.
State Policeman Andrew Zavatsky of the Clearfield barracks identified the dead man as Charles Thompson, 65, of West Decatur. The accident occurred on Route 322 in West Decatur, about 15 miles southeast of Clearfield.
The injured were taken to Philipsburg State Hospital.
State police said Thompson was a passenger in one of the autos. They said the collision occurred at an intersection. The truck driver, Oscar Wagner, 33, of Clarion, escaped injury.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Wednesday Evening, November 17, 1954
County Coroner Sets inquest Into Highway Fatality
Clearfield County Coroner Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale announced today that he will hold an inquest at 10 a. m. Saturday, Nov. 20, into the highway death of Charles Thompson, 66, of West Decatur.
The inquest will be held in the West Decatur E. U. B. Church, located not far from the scene of the pile-up of three cars and a heavy truck the night of last Sept. 30.
The inquest has been delayed pending the recovery of four persons who were injured in the accident. The purpose of the inquest is to determine the cause of Mr. Thompson's death.
Dr. Williams said he has chosen the following persons to serve on the coroner's jury for the inquest: Frank Milliard, Millard Milmer, J. B. Tyler, Robert Dugau and Edgar Wilson, all of West Decatur and vicinity, and Joseph Doman of Houtzdale.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Monday Evening, November 22, 1954
Coroners Jury Clears Drivers in West Decatur Fatal Truck-Car Crash
WEST DECATUR - By making no recommendation for prosecution, coroner's jury at an inquest in the West Decatur E.U.B. Church Saturday exonerated all driver involved in the four-vehicle motor accident in which Charles Westley Thompson of West Decatur was killed instantly last Sept. 30.
District Attorney Joseph Ammerman, who assisted in the inquest, said no charges will be brought since there seams to be no evidence of negligence. The jury returned the following statement following a 10-minute recess: "The coroner's jury finds that Charles Thompson died as the result of a collision of the Buick car and the truck at the West Decatur intersection at 6:30 p.m. on September 30."
The car referred to was driven by Fred Larson of Lanse and the victim was a passenger. Other vehicles involved were a tractor-trailor truck driven by Oscar D. Wagner of Clarion; and auto driven by Edward Shaw of West Decatur; and a car operated by Frederick Fletcher of Goshen. The large truck struck both the Larson and Shaw vehicles.
Testifying at the inquest, conducted by Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale, county coroner, were Pvt. Andrew Kranyak of the State Police, William Craven of Philipsburg R.D., Mr. Larson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Marion Willis of West Decatur, who along with a baby in a carriage was also involved in the mishap.
Pvt. Kranyak, investigation officer following the accident, told of going to the scene of the mishap, interviewing the truck driver, taking measurements and checking victims and cars. The investigation showed, he said, that the point of impact was about eight feet from the edge of the Philipsburg-Clearfield highway; the baby carriage was 77 feet from the point of impact; and the truck was eight feet off the road.
William Craven, a witness riding in a car following the Larson machine, testified that the Larson car was traveling slowly when as it attempted to make a left turn into the legislative route which helps form the "Y" intersection. The witness then explained upon questioning by District Attorney Ammerman that he found no evidence of anyone being under the influence of intoxicants.
Mr. Larson, the third person to testify, told of being in Philipsburg shopping and talking to friends, including Mr. Thompson. He met the victim between 5 and 6 p.m. and later started for West Decatur, he said.
In questioning about the scene, he said the truck hit his car first, then the Shaw vehicle, which had pulled up to the main road from the legislative route. His estimated speed in turning was about 15 miles per hour, he said, and he did not see the truck coming and doesn't remember seeing the Shaw vehicle and the intersection.
Mr. Wagner, the truck driver, told of being familiar with the intersection, how he blinked his lights and blew the horn upon seeing the Larson car turned left.
"If I could have seen the Larson car sooner, I could have gone down the legislative route. I was an opening betewwn the Larson and Shaw cars and tried to go between them, rather than hit one of them broadside," the truck driver said.
He estimated his speed at the time of impact at 30 miles per hour, figured he hit both machines at the same time, and said he could not cut left because of more oncoming traffic.
Mr. Fletcher, who was returning to his Clearfield R.D. home on the night of the mishap, told of his being two cars behind Mr. Larson, of seeing the truck coming and telling another person in his car that there was going to be trouble ahead. After being struck by the truck, Mr. Larson's car was jolted back toward Philipsburg, hitting the Fletcher machine a glancing blow.
Mrs. Willis, the final witness in the two-hour proceedings, described the truck's speed as "fast," but could not estimate how fast. Furthermore, she said, she did not see the truck blink its lights or sound its horn, she did not see the Larson car nor the Shaw car and she does not know which vehicle struck her baby carriage, in which a tree-weeks old son, James, was riding. They were facing the truck as it came from Clearfield.
Mr. Shaw was unable to attend the inquest because he is still hospitalized in the Clearfield Hospital under a doctor's orders was not to be removed. However, the coroner explained that the statement was received from him at the hospital, describing how he pulled up at the intersection and how the truck his both the machines at about the same time.
The district attorney, in charging the jurors, emphasized they were not to determine any damages for injury, that they were to determine only the cause of death and make a statement if there were enough evidence to show any criminal responsibility.
The Era, Bradford, Pa., Friday, October 1, 1954
Crash Involving Three Cars, Truck Fatal to One Man
CLEARFIELD, Pa., Sept. 30 - A collision involving three autos and a tractor trailer killed one man tonight and seriously injured four other persons.
State Policeman Andrew Zavatsky of the Clearfield barracks identified the dead man as Charles Thompson, 65, of West Decatur. The accident occurred on Route 322 in West Decatur, about 15 miles southeast of Clearfield.
The injured were taken to Philipsburg State Hospital.
State police said Thompson was a passenger in one of the autos. They said the collision occurred at an intersection. The truck driver, Oscar Wagner, 33, of Clarion, escaped injury.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Wednesday Evening, November 17, 1954
County Coroner Sets inquest Into Highway Fatality
Clearfield County Coroner Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale announced today that he will hold an inquest at 10 a. m. Saturday, Nov. 20, into the highway death of Charles Thompson, 66, of West Decatur.
The inquest will be held in the West Decatur E. U. B. Church, located not far from the scene of the pile-up of three cars and a heavy truck the night of last Sept. 30.
The inquest has been delayed pending the recovery of four persons who were injured in the accident. The purpose of the inquest is to determine the cause of Mr. Thompson's death.
Dr. Williams said he has chosen the following persons to serve on the coroner's jury for the inquest: Frank Milliard, Millard Milmer, J. B. Tyler, Robert Dugau and Edgar Wilson, all of West Decatur and vicinity, and Joseph Doman of Houtzdale.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Monday Evening, November 22, 1954
Coroners Jury Clears Drivers in West Decatur Fatal Truck-Car Crash
WEST DECATUR - By making no recommendation for prosecution, coroner's jury at an inquest in the West Decatur E.U.B. Church Saturday exonerated all driver involved in the four-vehicle motor accident in which Charles Westley Thompson of West Decatur was killed instantly last Sept. 30.
District Attorney Joseph Ammerman, who assisted in the inquest, said no charges will be brought since there seams to be no evidence of negligence. The jury returned the following statement following a 10-minute recess: "The coroner's jury finds that Charles Thompson died as the result of a collision of the Buick car and the truck at the West Decatur intersection at 6:30 p.m. on September 30."
The car referred to was driven by Fred Larson of Lanse and the victim was a passenger. Other vehicles involved were a tractor-trailor truck driven by Oscar D. Wagner of Clarion; and auto driven by Edward Shaw of West Decatur; and a car operated by Frederick Fletcher of Goshen. The large truck struck both the Larson and Shaw vehicles.
Testifying at the inquest, conducted by Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale, county coroner, were Pvt. Andrew Kranyak of the State Police, William Craven of Philipsburg R.D., Mr. Larson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Marion Willis of West Decatur, who along with a baby in a carriage was also involved in the mishap.
Pvt. Kranyak, investigation officer following the accident, told of going to the scene of the mishap, interviewing the truck driver, taking measurements and checking victims and cars. The investigation showed, he said, that the point of impact was about eight feet from the edge of the Philipsburg-Clearfield highway; the baby carriage was 77 feet from the point of impact; and the truck was eight feet off the road.
William Craven, a witness riding in a car following the Larson machine, testified that the Larson car was traveling slowly when as it attempted to make a left turn into the legislative route which helps form the "Y" intersection. The witness then explained upon questioning by District Attorney Ammerman that he found no evidence of anyone being under the influence of intoxicants.
Mr. Larson, the third person to testify, told of being in Philipsburg shopping and talking to friends, including Mr. Thompson. He met the victim between 5 and 6 p.m. and later started for West Decatur, he said.
In questioning about the scene, he said the truck hit his car first, then the Shaw vehicle, which had pulled up to the main road from the legislative route. His estimated speed in turning was about 15 miles per hour, he said, and he did not see the truck coming and doesn't remember seeing the Shaw vehicle and the intersection.
Mr. Wagner, the truck driver, told of being familiar with the intersection, how he blinked his lights and blew the horn upon seeing the Larson car turned left.
"If I could have seen the Larson car sooner, I could have gone down the legislative route. I was an opening betewwn the Larson and Shaw cars and tried to go between them, rather than hit one of them broadside," the truck driver said.
He estimated his speed at the time of impact at 30 miles per hour, figured he hit both machines at the same time, and said he could not cut left because of more oncoming traffic.
Mr. Fletcher, who was returning to his Clearfield R.D. home on the night of the mishap, told of his being two cars behind Mr. Larson, of seeing the truck coming and telling another person in his car that there was going to be trouble ahead. After being struck by the truck, Mr. Larson's car was jolted back toward Philipsburg, hitting the Fletcher machine a glancing blow.
Mrs. Willis, the final witness in the two-hour proceedings, described the truck's speed as "fast," but could not estimate how fast. Furthermore, she said, she did not see the truck blink its lights or sound its horn, she did not see the Larson car nor the Shaw car and she does not know which vehicle struck her baby carriage, in which a tree-weeks old son, James, was riding. They were facing the truck as it came from Clearfield.
Mr. Shaw was unable to attend the inquest because he is still hospitalized in the Clearfield Hospital under a doctor's orders was not to be removed. However, the coroner explained that the statement was received from him at the hospital, describing how he pulled up at the intersection and how the truck his both the machines at about the same time.
The district attorney, in charging the jurors, emphasized they were not to determine any damages for injury, that they were to determine only the cause of death and make a statement if there were enough evidence to show any criminal responsibility.
Crash Involving Three Cars, Truck Fatal to One Man
CLEARFIELD, Pa., Sept. 30 - A collision involving three autos and a tractor trailer killed one man tonight and seriously injured four other persons.
State Policeman Andrew Zavatsky of the Clearfield barracks identified the dead man as Charles Thompson, 65, of West Decatur. The accident occurred on Route 322 in West Decatur, about 15 miles southeast of Clearfield.
The injured were taken to Philipsburg State Hospital.
State police said Thompson was a passenger in one of the autos. They said the collision occurred at an intersection. The truck driver, Oscar Wagner, 33, of Clarion, escaped injury.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Wednesday Evening, November 17, 1954
County Coroner Sets inquest Into Highway Fatality
Clearfield County Coroner Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale announced today that he will hold an inquest at 10 a. m. Saturday, Nov. 20, into the highway death of Charles Thompson, 66, of West Decatur.
The inquest will be held in the West Decatur E. U. B. Church, located not far from the scene of the pile-up of three cars and a heavy truck the night of last Sept. 30.
The inquest has been delayed pending the recovery of four persons who were injured in the accident. The purpose of the inquest is to determine the cause of Mr. Thompson's death.
Dr. Williams said he has chosen the following persons to serve on the coroner's jury for the inquest: Frank Milliard, Millard Milmer, J. B. Tyler, Robert Dugau and Edgar Wilson, all of West Decatur and vicinity, and Joseph Doman of Houtzdale.
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The Progress, Clearfield, Pa., Monday Evening, November 22, 1954
Coroners Jury Clears Drivers in West Decatur Fatal Truck-Car Crash
WEST DECATUR - By making no recommendation for prosecution, coroner's jury at an inquest in the West Decatur E.U.B. Church Saturday exonerated all driver involved in the four-vehicle motor accident in which Charles Westley Thompson of West Decatur was killed instantly last Sept. 30.
District Attorney Joseph Ammerman, who assisted in the inquest, said no charges will be brought since there seams to be no evidence of negligence. The jury returned the following statement following a 10-minute recess: "The coroner's jury finds that Charles Thompson died as the result of a collision of the Buick car and the truck at the West Decatur intersection at 6:30 p.m. on September 30."
The car referred to was driven by Fred Larson of Lanse and the victim was a passenger. Other vehicles involved were a tractor-trailor truck driven by Oscar D. Wagner of Clarion; and auto driven by Edward Shaw of West Decatur; and a car operated by Frederick Fletcher of Goshen. The large truck struck both the Larson and Shaw vehicles.
Testifying at the inquest, conducted by Dr. R. L. Williams of Houtzdale, county coroner, were Pvt. Andrew Kranyak of the State Police, William Craven of Philipsburg R.D., Mr. Larson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Marion Willis of West Decatur, who along with a baby in a carriage was also involved in the mishap.
Pvt. Kranyak, investigation officer following the accident, told of going to the scene of the mishap, interviewing the truck driver, taking measurements and checking victims and cars. The investigation showed, he said, that the point of impact was about eight feet from the edge of the Philipsburg-Clearfield highway; the baby carriage was 77 feet from the point of impact; and the truck was eight feet off the road.
William Craven, a witness riding in a car following the Larson machine, testified that the Larson car was traveling slowly when as it attempted to make a left turn into the legislative route which helps form the "Y" intersection. The witness then explained upon questioning by District Attorney Ammerman that he found no evidence of anyone being under the influence of intoxicants.
Mr. Larson, the third person to testify, told of being in Philipsburg shopping and talking to friends, including Mr. Thompson. He met the victim between 5 and 6 p.m. and later started for West Decatur, he said.
In questioning about the scene, he said the truck hit his car first, then the Shaw vehicle, which had pulled up to the main road from the legislative route. His estimated speed in turning was about 15 miles per hour, he said, and he did not see the truck coming and doesn't remember seeing the Shaw vehicle and the intersection.
Mr. Wagner, the truck driver, told of being familiar with the intersection, how he blinked his lights and blew the horn upon seeing the Larson car turned left.
"If I could have seen the Larson car sooner, I could have gone down the legislative route. I was an opening betewwn the Larson and Shaw cars and tried to go between them, rather than hit one of them broadside," the truck driver said.
He estimated his speed at the time of impact at 30 miles per hour, figured he hit both machines at the same time, and said he could not cut left because of more oncoming traffic.
Mr. Fletcher, who was returning to his Clearfield R.D. home on the night of the mishap, told of his being two cars behind Mr. Larson, of seeing the truck coming and telling another person in his car that there was going to be trouble ahead. After being struck by the truck, Mr. Larson's car was jolted back toward Philipsburg, hitting the Fletcher machine a glancing blow.
Mrs. Willis, the final witness in the two-hour proceedings, described the truck's speed as "fast," but could not estimate how fast. Furthermore, she said, she did not see the truck blink its lights or sound its horn, she did not see the Larson car nor the Shaw car and she does not know which vehicle struck her baby carriage, in which a tree-weeks old son, James, was riding. They were facing the truck as it came from Clearfield.
Mr. Shaw was unable to attend the inquest because he is still hospitalized in the Clearfield Hospital under a doctor's orders was not to be removed. However, the coroner explained that the statement was received from him at the hospital, describing how he pulled up at the intersection and how the truck his both the machines at about the same time.
The district attorney, in charging the jurors, emphasized they were not to determine any damages for injury, that they were to determine only the cause of death and make a statement if there were enough evidence to show any criminal responsibility.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Robert Thompson
1907–1972
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D Irene Thompson Watkins
1908–1992
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Frederick Arthur "Fred" Thompson
1910–1974
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Leroy Thompson
1912–1997
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Dorothy M. Thompson Hafer
1914–1995
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![]()
Burtis W. Thompson
1916–1993
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![]()
Leo M. Thompson
1918–1995
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![]()
Charles J Thompson Jr
1920–1996
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![]()
Bernice M. Thompson Shoff
1922–2002
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![]()
Roland J Thompson
1923–1983
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Ralph Harmon Thompson
1925–2014
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Muriel Thompson Kyler
1927–2016
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Sgt Clinton D. Thompson
1930–1998
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