Vroonland, David, abt. 1942-1961

VROONLAND

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg,volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

Two killed in accident south of Larchwood.

Two men were killed and another seriously injured in an automobile accident south of Larchwood Saturday morning.
Killed were David Vroonland, about 19 yrs. of Boyden and Dennis Pettengill, 17, of Sheldon.

Taken to Merrill Pioneer hospital with head cuts, a possible skull fracture, numerous cuts, bruises and possible internal injuries was Evart Vronland, Boyden, 24 years of age.

The men were driving in a Volkswagen. They had been at Sioux Falls, and were enroute home at about 2 a.m. At the culvert a half mile north of the "Y", a mile and a half south of Larchwood, the car struck the abutment of the culvert on the east side of the road.
The impact must have been fairly head on, as the left front side of the car was pushed back to the seat. The car then careened off that abutment and crashed against the bridge onthe west side of the road.

The whole left side of the car (driver's side) was crushed in as though it had been dragged with terrific force alongside the abutment on the left side of the road, which was hit first.
Cars which came upon the scene, immediately after the crash found Evart Vroonland walking around in a daze. Phil Blum, Jr., a passing motorist and Cornelius Vanden Brink, who was driving a truck for Walt Jansma, both reported the accident to Sheriff Kroon.

Vroonland was rushed to Merrill Pioneer Community hospital in Rock Rapids for emergency treatment.
Kroon told the Reporter that it is not known just what happened because the only survivor is not able to give a clear account of the accident.

Source: Rock Valley Bee 7/20/1961