This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Zimmerman, Zerbe
Classification: Death
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ZJYBAEB/1005
Message Board Post:
OCTOBER 5, 1940 Pottsville Republican
AUTO CRASHES INTO TRAIN AT CROSSING
Pinegrove Miner Killed and Companion in Critical Condition in Hospital
One Pinegrove man was killed and another critically injured shortly after midnight, when
their machine crashed into the 12th car of a coal train stopped on the intersection on the
Tremont to Pinegrove highway.
Melvin L. Zimmerman, 28, father of two children, died in the wreckage of the car, of a
fractured skull and extensive body bruises.
His companion, Guy Zerbe, 28, also of Pinegrove, is unconscious and in critical condition
in the Pottsville Hospital with a skull fracture and other injuries, received when he was
flung from the wreckage to the left side of the car, when the roof was torn off in the
collision.
Motor Police from the Pinegrove sub-station, who are investigating the fatality, have been
unable to determine which man was driving the car. The body of Zimmerman was found on the
floor of the auto, from which both seats had been ripped loose.
The train was headed for Pinegrove and was standing on the signal protected crossing when
the car crashed head-on into it.
Dr J W Shultz, deputy coroner of Tremont, released the body of Zimmerman and it was taken
to the W E Minnig morgue until Saturday morning, when it was claimed by his wife.
Zerbe's family were called to his bedside, Saturday morning, when his condition became
considerably weaker.
Both men were working as boot-leg miners.
Zimmerman is a son of William Zimmerman of Cherryville. He is survived by his wife, the
former Florence Bonawitz; two daughters, Virginia and Carol, at home; his father, William
of Cherryville; and two brothers, Lamarr and William, both of Reading.
His funeral will be held from the H L Snyder Funeral Home, Pinegrove, Tuesday, with
interment in the Lutheran Cemetery, Pinegrove.
***********************
Judi