Knight, Paul William (1948-1978)

KNIGHT, BAILEY, MORDICK, PFAFFENBACH, CROSE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/24/2017 at 15:37:27

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, May 5, 1978

Bridge crash is fatal to Paul Knight

Pickup hits bridge, lands in river

Paul William Knight, 30, of Rural Route 3, Webster City, was killed early last evening when the pickup truck he was driving crashed into the south end of the Des Moines St. bridge, then soared through the air to land in about three feet of water near the north bank of the Boone river.

Knight, taken to the Hamilton County hospital by the fire department rescue crew, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. An autopsy has been ordered by the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

Police Chief Hans Dickinson said the mishap occurred at about 8:10 p.m. when Knight, apparently traveling at high speed, was heading north on north Des Moines St.

As he approached the south side of the bridge, the police chief said, the truck went off the edge of the road to the right, striking several guard posts. The vehicle hit the south end of the bridge on the east side, and then the truck was airborne out over the river, ending upon its wheels in the river near the north shore.

Officials said the vehicle had left about 100 feet of skid marks, knocked over 10 guard rail posts and flew about 125 feet through the air after hitting the corner of the bridge.

The Webster City fire department rescue crews waded through three to three and one-half feet of water to get to the wreckage, and had to pry open the doors to get the driver out.

Police officers investigating the accident included Captain Gene Timmons and Officers Ken Aldridge and Jerry Oberender.

Funeral services for Paul W. Knight will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at the Foster Funeral home with the Dr. C.W. Tompkins officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.

Paul William Knight, son of Lyden K. and Nina G. Bailey Knight, was born Feb. 6, 1948 at Fort Dodge hospital, and the family resided here in Webster City. He moved with his parents to Dows, where he was reared and educated.

He served with the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam conflict, and following his discharge came to Webster City. He attended Iowa Central Community College.

He was married Nov. 11, 1973 to Mary Mordick, and the couple made their home in McCall, Neb. where he served with the forest service. In February, 1977, the family returned to Webster City and he had served as vice president of traffic operations at the Eagle Hawk Truck Lines in Fort Dodge.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyden Knight of Fort Dodge, a brother, Steve Pfaffenbach, Fort Dodge; the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Crose of Eagle Grove.

He was baptized in the Methodist faith.