James "Jay" West 1970-1987

WEST, SPRINKLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/18/2012 at 22:39:14

Jay West Died in Traffic Crash
The Estherville Police Department is completing its investigation of an accident which occurred Tuesday evening that claimed the life of Jay West, 17, son of Jim and Sue West. Scott Barrett, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barrett, also of Estherville, was injured in the accident. The incident happened around 9:20 p.m.

Police Chief Paul Farber says that an unnamed individual witnessed the accident. According to the report, West, driving a pickup registered to Bud Huntley of Estherville, along with passenger Barrett, was northbound on N. 6th St. with a load of pumpkins.

The eyewitness, who was eastbound on 9th Ave. N. and stopped at the intersection of N. 6th St. noticed the pickup traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle suddenly swerved left and then lurched right, striking the curb near 922 N. 6th St. The pickup overturned, throwing the passengers from the vehicle.

A check of the vehicle indicted that the right front brake on the pickup malfunctioned. Apparently when West tried to decrease speed, the pickup’s left front brake locked causing the vehicle to veer left. The drive then over-corrected his road position and struck the curb. The pickup rolled, ejecting West and Barrett, and came to rest on its wheels in the yard at 922 N. 6th St.

West died of massive head injuries.

Barrett suffered multiple fractures. On Wednesday morning he was listed in stable condition at Holy Family Hospital and was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Farber, blood tests indicted, “there were absolutely no alcohol or drugs involved.” (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 29, 1987)

Jay West
Estherville – Services for Jay West, 17, will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tom Balm officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. He died Tuesday, October 27, 1987 on North 6th Street, Estherville.

Friends may call at the Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville from 3-9 p.m. Thursday.

He was born March 6, 1970 at Ottawa, Ill., the son of James T. and Suzanne (Sprinkle) West. He lived Marseilles, Ill. until he moved with his family to Estherville where he attended school. Jay was a senior in Estherville High School; a member of the high school football and golf teams and was employed by Harold’s Red Owl Store in Estherville.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, “E” Club and participated in speech in his freshman class.

Survivors include his parents, James and Suzanne West, Estherville; sister Elaine West at home; maternal grandmother Mrs. Dorothy Sprinkle, Momence, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 29, 1987)

Editorial: Inspirational Decision
Our community of Estherville and the students of Estherville High School gasped a valuable lesson on Wednesday morning: that is, life isn’t always fair. You aren’t always dealt a pat hand. Sometimes you come up empty, but you have to continue on, play the next hand, and put the past behind you and do the best you can.

Jay West, an Estherville High School senior and member of the playoff-bound Estherville Midgets, was killed Tuesday evening in a traffic accident.

In a time of grief, it is very difficult and even painful to make decisions. We think that the Estherville High School football team made the right decision in continuing its involvement in the playoffs. At first, it seemed that Estherville would throw in the towel by forfeiting the playoff game. The reconsideration and decision to go on, is surely a testament of the contributions and value in the life of Jay West. It also displays the determination and genuine good-heartedness of the people and youth of our community.

As unfortunate and untimely as Jay’s death was, there is yet an opportunity. That being to rally together and say, “Let’s go out and win the game for Jay, because that’s what he would have wanted.”

The decision to play made by the players, parents and school administration should be an inspiration to the entire student body, Estherville residents and area communities that when the chips are down, Estherville is a community that chooses not to quit. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 29, 1987)

Note: Estherville beat Spencer 10-9 in the playoff game and eventually finished runner-up in the Class3-A football playoffs, losing 21-7 to Decorah in the finals.