HICKENBOTTOM, Lois Rose 1932 - 1946

HICKENBOTTOM

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:29

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, November 26, 1946
Front Page, Column 7

DRIVER FREED OF BLAME FOR GIRL'S DEATH

A coroner's jury, investigating the death of Lois HICKENBOTTOM, 13 year old high school student, killed when hit by a truck on highway 34 October 30, ruled that she met her death accidentally. Harold K. Clark, Ottumwa and driver of the truck, was absolved from all blame in the girl's death.

The coroner's report was filed at the Jefferson county clerk's office just recently, although the inquest was held shortly after the accident occurred. The findings of the jury were not made public until the report was placed on file.

Following is the verdict as returned by members of the jury:

"We find that Lois Rose HICKENBOTTOM came to her death accidentally, by stepping in front of a vehicle driven by Harold Kent Clark., and absolve the driver of any negligence or improper operation of a vehicle."

The members of the jury were Charles Sirdoreus, Omar Tracht and Alfred L. Smith, all of Fairfield.

Testimonies made by witnesses, stated that the girl stepped directly in front of the oncoming truck and the driver had no chance to avoid hitting her. Her mother and several other members of the family were at the scene and saw the girl hit by the vehicle.

She had stopped to talk with some friends in front of the store at Parsonsville located about eight miles east of Fairfield. She then started across the road to join her relatives in a car when she ran in front of the truck. She was killed instantly.

The accident occurred about 4:30 p.m. while she was on her way home from her classes at the Fairfield high school.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Lois was a daughter of Joseph and Minnie HICKENBOTTOM.