Article taken from The Patchogue Advance Thursday, March 23, 1944
The crash of a seven-year old sedan against a tree
on a Montauk highway curve in Center Moriches about 1:30 a.m. Sunday brought
death to two persons and injuries to four others.The car, traveling eastward
according to Brookhaven Town police skidded off the south side of the road
on the curve. When the vehicle came to a halt, the tree, which is
about 10 feet from the pavement was almost in the center of the car.
The dead, both of whom were riding in the front
seat, are: Edward Davis, age 38, of 221 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, husband
of the owner of the car. Augustus Wilson, age 45, of Cedar Avenue, Moriches,
husband of the driver of the car.
At the office of Dr. Roland W. Jones in Center Moriches,
a short time after the accident, Mrs. Beatrice Wilson, age 40, of Cedar
Avenue Moriches, told town police, that she was driving.
Mr. Davis, whose head struck the dashboard, was
killed instantly. Mr. Wilson, who sustained fractures of both legs, fractured
nose, and multiple lacerations of the nose and forehead, was removed in
the Center Moriches American Legion ambulance to Mather Memorial Hospital,
Port Jefferson where he died at 2:40 am, Monday.
The injured, all of whom were attended by Dr. Jones
were: Mrs. Beatrice Wilson, driver, dislocation of left shoulder, multiple
lacerations of the face, fracture of nose, and lacerations of right elbow.
Mrs. Lilian Davis, age 34, of Roosevelt, owner of the car, lacerations
of both forelegs, lacerations of left knee and of both feet. Mrs.
Mary Lawler, age 48, a widow, of 180 Brookside Avenue, Roosevelt, double
fracture of the right arm and possible fracture of the right hip.
John Doheny, age 48, of 180 Brookside Avenue, Roosevelt, brother-in-law
of Mrs. Lawler, lacerations of the scalp and right hand and contusions.
The first to arrive at the scene was Lawrence Penney
of Moriches, Brookhaven Town Police clerk, who was driving by. As
Mr. Penney brought his car to a stop, John Rose, who lives nearby, walked
up to the tree torn vehicle, thereupon Mr. Penney then drove on to the
Town police station in Center Moriches and told Field Officer Milton Smith
who went to the scene. Dr. Jones was notified, then a call to Town
Police Headquarters, in Patchogue, brought Police Chief Edward N. Bridge
and Officers Clarence Samson and Foster J. Aviano to Center Moriches.
Mr. Wilson’s body was wedged in the car in such
a way that police had to use a crow bar, then tie a tow rope from a police
car to the doorpost of Davis car in order to extricate the injured man.
On instructions from Coroner Grover A. Silliman,
MD, of Sayville, Mr. Davis’ body was removed to the Herrmann Funeral Chapel,
Center Moriches.
Mr. Wilson was employed in the Swift Stream Duck
Farm, Moriches. His wife is employed by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering
Plant at Bethpage.
Police action in the case is being withheld pending
the outcome of an inquest to be held by Dr. Silliman. No date has
been set for the inquest.
Police expressed praise for the speedy response
of the American Legion Ambulance, which was driven by Harold Chapman of
East Moriches, a lieutenant, junior grade, in the US Coast Guard Reserve.
A letter from Augustus Wilson to his daughter, Beatrice
Elizabeth (Wilson) Titmus. She had been married March 09, 1943 and
relocated with her husband, Joseph MacGregor Titmus , to where he was stationed
in Dayton, Ohio.