Obituaries: David C. Evans, 1963, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


 




From: April 25, 1963 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Atlanta Youth Killed April 24 In Collision

A 22 year old Atlanta native, Pineville Air Force veteran released from
service a week ago, and his 22 year old companion, Judy Fruge LaGrange, of
Lake Charles, were killed instantly in a car-train collision Wednesday morning
when their car was struck by a westbound Illinois Central train at the Jewel
Street crossing in West Monroe.

Assistant Ouachita Parish Coroner Dr. C. U. Johnson said Evans died from a
broken neck and the girl's death was caused from a crushed chest.

The automobile, moving south on Jewel Street, was struck in the left rear
fender, dragged for some 70 to 75 feet, and thrown bottom-up in a ditch south
of the railroad bed.  The bodies of the pair were thrown half out of the
vehicle and help had to be sought in lifting the demolished car off Evan's
body before it could be extricated.

Within minutes a large crowd had gathered.  Several persons living in the
immediate vicinity said the train was moving at a fast rate of speed and
sounding its horn as it entered the intersection.  The train engineer, Robert
C. St. John, 408 Bres Street, Monroe, told officers he did not see the car
approaching the track until it was approximately 35 feet from the right of
way.

He said he did not think Evans sighted the train until he was almost 30 feet
from the track, and then apparently attempted to speed over the track and
avoid the accident, but the rear fender was caught by the front of the diesel.

Charles Walker, 408 Cooper St., a brother in law of Evans, was in the crowd of
onlookers and was heard remarking that Evans was on his way over to his home.
Walker reportedly said in spotting the wreckage, "I hope it wasn't David."

Last rites for Evans will be held at 11 a.m. at the Sardis Baptist Church with
burial to follow in the church cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral
Home.

The youth is survived by his mother, Mrs. Nobie Evans, Alexandria; two
sisters, Mrs. Earline Martin, Alexandria, and Mrs. Dorothy Walker, West
Monroe; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clint Taylor of Atlanta. 
He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Evans of Atlanta.  

Funeral arrangements for Miss LaGrange were incomplete.