James C. Rohrbaugh (1920-1954)

ROHRBAUGH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/27/2013 at 16:36:57

From Ames Daily Tribune December 11, 1954 (front page)

Story City Man Killed In Crash

James Rohrbaugh, 26, Story City was killed in a two-car collision 1 1/4 miles south of Gilbert Friday at 11 p. m.

He was riding in a car driven by James Knutson, 34, Story City, which hit a parked car. Rohrbaugh was thrown a few feet from the car in the ditch.

David Erickson, 18, and Virginia Garretson, 18, Iowa State college freshmen from Seymour, occupants of the parked car were injured and taken to Mary Greeley hospital here.

Miss Garretson had possible back injuries and lacerations. Erickson suffered lacerations and bruises. They were reported "doing well" this morning.

Officers reported that the Erickson car was parked at the side of the country road. Erickson and Miss Garretson were sitting in the car.

Erickson told Ames police that a car passed his parked car at a high rate of speed with no lights. Seconds later he noticed another car approaching from the rear, traveling fast, without lights. This second car his Erickson's car.

Ames Police desk officer Jay Ferguson said that a few minutes before the accident was reported, he had received a call from Gilbert reporting that two cars were racing toward Ames without lights.

Ames police displaced a car to the scene of the accident to take charge until Highway Patrolmen Bowers and Severin arrived to investigate.

Funeral services for Mr. Rohrbaugh will be Tuesday at 1:30 p. m. at Larson funeral home, Story City, at 2 p. m. at Immanuel Lutheran church there with the Rev. T. J. Alvestad in charge. Burial will be in Story City cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, the former Helen Sheldahl of Story City and two children, Robert J. and Deborah, 5 months. His father, Clifton Rohrbaugh of Carthage and five sisters also survive.

The James Rohrbaugh's lived on the Comar road about three miles south of Story City. They had been in the Story City community nine years.

Above the accompanying photo is the headline "The Death Car" and beneath is the following:
Tribune Photos
This is the car from which James Rohrbaugh, 26, Story was thron and killed Friday night on a country road 1 1/4 miles south of Gilbert. He was a passenger in the car driven by James Knutson, 34, Story City, which hit a parked car and then went more than 200 feet before stopping in the ditch.