The Daily Mail

Hagerstown, Maryland

September 25, 1943

COUNTY COUPLE FATALLY INJURED

Ralph Hurley And Wife Killed By Freight Train East Of City.

Ralph Emory Hurley, 29, and his wife, Goldie May Hurley, 21, Mt. Lena, were killed instantly at 10 o'clock last night when thrown from a motorcycle beneath the wheels of a Baltimore and Ohio freight train at the dual highway crossing about a mile east of Hagerstown. There were no witnesses to the tragedy.

Deputy Leister Isanogle said the couple was proceeding toward Hagerstown and that Hurley, who presumably was operating the motorcycle, applied his brakes when he saw a collision was impending.

The officer said marks in the highway indicated the rear wheel skidded 180 feet and that they apparently were thrown from their seats about 20 feet from the tracks. He said they must have rolled under the wheels of the freight which was south-bound from Security.

Parts of Hurley's body, which was picked up in 22 pieces, were dragged as far as 480 feet by the train. The woman's body also was considerably mangled.

The wreck was discovered by Harry Burger, of Boonsboro, who apparently passed the scene soon after it occurred. He did not stop but sped to Hagerstown and informed city police.

The motorcycle, which stopped about 20 feet short of the tracks, was only slightly damaged.

Dr. S. R. Wells, Washington county medical examiner, said excessive speed was apparently the principal contributing factor in the accident.

The bodies were removed to the funeral home of A. K. Coffman.

Hurley is survived by one son, Ralph, Jr.; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Hurley, Mt. Lena; sister, Mrs. Powell Godbe, Hagerstown, and a brother, Arthur, Mt. Lena.

His body was removed to the Bast funeral home, where funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m., Rev. Samuel A. Kipe officiating. Interment in Boonsboro cemetery.