Independent Enterprise
Thursday, November 05, 1942
Plymouth Youth Accident Victim
Reynold Brownell, Six Year Old, Dies Following Accident Friday
Reynold Brownell, six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Standford Brownell, died shortly after his arrival at the Ontario hospital last Friday evening following fatal injuries sustained when he was hit by a large gas tanker on U. S. 30 about two and one-half miles south and east of New Plymouth. According to the story reconstructed by local officers the lad was on the New Plymouth school bus, which was driven by Mike King. The bus stopped to allow the boy to alight, when the large gasoline tanker, which was traveling in the same direction, struck the youngster the fatal blow. After the bus stopped, the boy ran around in front to cross the highway in front of the tanker. In an endeavor to avoid hitting the child Harry Marshall, bus driver, put the large tanker into the barrow pit.
The boy's mother and Mrs. Elsie Cole, Emmett teacher, who was returning to Payette, picked the boy up and rushed him to an Ontario hospital where it was found that his body way badly mutilated and he died within a few moments.
Coroner Edith Landon summoned a coroner's jury to investigate the accident consisting of Vernon Lutz, Bill Meechan, Guy Stroup. O. B. Stauff, Scott Fitch and H. L. Davis.
The coroner's inquest completed the inquiry on Wednesday evening of this week and rendered the following verdict: "Reynold Brownell, 6 years old, came to his death about the 31st day of October as a result of being struck by a gasoline transport truck which was passing the school bus. The driver of the said transport truck being negligent in his duties but not to the point of criminal negligence. We all agree in the above verdict and also find that the type of equipment used for the school bus is also entitled to the same blame."
