Joseph Michael SULLIVAN

SULLIVAN, JORGENSEN, SCHUMACHER, BEHNKENDORF, NELSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:47

Joseph Michael Sullivan
July 9, 1953 — April 1, 1976

Joseph Michael Sullivan, 22, of Thor, an employee of the Boone Valley Cooperative Processing Association in Eagle Grove, was fatally injured last Thursday when his car rammed into the rear of a gasoline truck on Highway 17 north of Eagle Grove.

The driver of the truck, Duane R. Jorgensen, 46, of Eagle Grove, was not injured in the accident. A spokesman for the Iowa Highway Patrol said Sullivan was driving his 1975 Datsun 280 Z at a very high rate of speed, and that there was no indication Sullivan had attempted to apply his brakes. The truck, travelling southbound, had entered the highway minutes before and was travelling at about 35 miles an hour when the collision occurred. The spokesman said the impact pushed the truck and the car about 400 feet before it came to rest on the side of the road.

A confirmed report by the Highway Patrol indicated the results of a preliminary blood test taken at Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge showed Sullivan's blood had an alcohol content of .301. A driver with an excess of .10 is considered driving under the influence under Iowa law.

Sullivan was taken by ambulance to the Fort Dodge hospital after the accident and later transferred to a Des Moines hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Wright County Medical Examiner Dale Harding said massive head injuries were the probable cause of Sullivan's death.

The Eagle Grove Fire Department went to the scene of the accident to spray down the wreckage while attempts were being made to separate the vehicles to prevent an explosion from spilt gasoline. Sullivan's car was a total loss, and an estimated $1,000 was done to Jorgensen's truck.

Sullivan was born to Mr. and Mrs. Pat Sullivan of Thor on July 9, 1953, in Fort Dodge. He attended the Vincent School and was graduated from the Eagle Grove Community High School in 1971. He entered the U.S. Air Force the same year where he served until 1974. Since then, he has been an employee at Boone Valley.

Sullivan was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Vincent. He is survived by his parents, and three sisters, Mrs. Gary Schumacher, Webster City; Mrs. Jim Behnkendorf, Geneseo, Ill.; and Rebekah of Thor, plus four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by one brother, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sullivan and Mr. and Mrs. Norman J. Nelson.

Funeral services were held Monday at Sacred Heart Church in Eagle Grove with Rev. Joe Stieb officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, April 8, 1976

source --- Eileen Reed