SULLIVAN, John Robert 1968-1985

SULLIVAN, BERG

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 12:21:41

John Robert Sullivan – May 8, 1968 – April 28, 1985

ALVORD YOUTH FIRST FATALITY IN LYON COUNTY

John R. Sullivan, 16, Alvord, died at a Sioux Falls, S.D., hospital Sunday as the result of injuries suffered in a highway accident near Larchwood at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The accident occurred when a Chevrolet Blazer driven Bart C. Metzger, 16, Lester, went off a gravel road into a ditch, and rolled over and came to rest on its top.

Sullivan was pinned in the vehicle and was released by the Larchwood Emergency Medical Service team. He was transported to the hospital and died Sunday. According to the report of the accident filed by Deputy Ronald Zylstra, Metzger was going west on Highway 9, just outside Larchwood, and was passing another vehicle when he was blinded by the sun.

At first he did not see an oncoming car and when he did, to avoid a contact with that car Metzger turned onto a gravel road. He lost control of the car, serving from the north side of the road to the south side, and went into the ditch, rolling the Blazer over.

Both boys were treated at the hospital. Metzger was later released. Damage to the Blazer, owned by Mary Metzger, Lester, was estimated at $13,500. Metzger was charged with failure to maintain control.

Sullivan was the son of Robert and Phyllis Sullivan of Alvord and was a junior at West Lyon High school. A complete obituary is printed inside today's Reporter.

Funeral services for John R. Sullivan, 16, of Alvord will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) in Sacred Heart Catholic church there with the Rev. William Wingert officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in Alvord under the direction of Porter Funeral Home.

He died Sunday, April 28, in a Sioux Falls, S.D., hospital of injuries suffered in an -auto accident Saturday west of Larchwood.

John Sullivan was born May 8,1968, in Rock Rapids. He was a junior at West Lyon High school, Inwood, where he was active in mixed and swing choirs and track. He also took part in Little League softball and Sacred Heart CYO and was scheduled to attend the American Legion Boys State in June. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic church.

Survivors include his parents; Robert "Bob" and Phyllis Sullivan, Alvord, two brothers, Thomas, Sioux Falls, and James, Minneapolis, Minn., and two sisters, Mrs. David (Susan) Berg, Rock Rapids, and Mrs. Darman (Laura) Berg, Minneapolis.

Lyon County Reporter: April 29, 1985