OBIT: Robert R. THOMAS, 1937, Tyrone, Blair County, PA

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CLAIM CARELESSNESS IN DEATH OF YOUTH
Coroner's Jury Probes Death of Robert Thomas

  Jacob Chilli, 22, of 1216 Woodland Avenue whose automobile struck and 
fatally injured Robert R. Thomas, age 6, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph 
Thomas, 10 East Twelfth street, on East Twelfth street on the evening 
of November 22, was held responsible for the death of the child by a 
coroner's jury which conducted a probe into the accident at the 
Municipal building last evening, County Coroner Chester Rothrock, 
conducting the investigation.  
  The jury, following the hearing, issued the following verdict: "We 
the jury, find that Robert Thomas came to his death as a result of 
being struck by an automobile driven by Jacob Chilli"  We find from the 
evidence produced that Jacob Chilli was guilty of carelessness in the 
operation of his car upon the occasion of the accident."  The jury 
consisted of  Ralph A. Harnish, foreman; Paul Ward, O. C. Struble, 
James Miller, Chalmer W. Gates and John G. Gibboney. 
  Chilli, represented by Attorney Benjamin Jubelier, of Altoona, did 
not testify at the inquest. Included among the witnesses were two of 
the Thomas boy's playmates.
  Some conflicting evidence was given by witnesses, and there was some 
question as to whether the witnesses had brought out all of the details 
of the accident.  All admitted, however, that Chilli did not get out of 
the car following the accident, permitting his friend William LaRosa, 
who also occupied the car to pick up the injured child, Chilli 
continuing on to his home where he was later found in bed by Officer 
John Giles, of the Tyrone Police Force.
  There was also conflicting evidence as to whether the machine was 
running without lights, although LaRosa testified that it was just 
growing dark when the accident occurred.
  William Largent, in front of whose home the accident occurred, was 
the first witness called.  Mr. Largent stated that he did not know 
anything of the accident until LaRosa, carrying the injured child in 
his arms, appeared at the front door, stating the child had been hit by 
an automobile, and he wanted to call a doctor.  Mr. Largent and LaRosa 
immediately took the injured boy to the office of Dr. D. F. Glasgow.
  William LaRosa, who occupied the car with Chilli, testifies that he 
was riding with Chilli and that the Thomas lad darted out from between 
two cars parked along the street directly in the path of the Chilli 
machine.  He also said that he got out of the car and went back and 
picked up the child and took him to the Largent home, also testifying 
that Chilli remained in the car and then had gone home without lending 
any assistance.  LaRosa was closely questioned by State Highway 
Officer, J. Y. Mermelstein, of the Hollidaysburg station, and it was 
brought out, that the Chilli car traveled at least 100 feet before it 
stopped.
  Mary Dayton, age 10, and Carol Musser, age 9, also testified, stating 
that they saw the car approaching and called to the Thomas boy to watch 
out for the car, but he failed to heed their warning, or in the 
excitement of playing, failed to hear them.  Mary Dayton testified that 
there were no headlights burning on the car, even though it was getting 
dark.  The Musser girl did not remember if the headlights were burning.
  When Coroner Rothrock called Chilli to testify, Attorney Jubelier 
stated he was representing Chilli and did not desire his client to 
appear on the stand.  However, Coroner Rothrock asked Chilli if the 
headlights on the car were burning and Chilli replied that they were.  
  J. Y. Mermelstein, state highway patrol officer, upon examination 
that the Chilli car had run some distance after striking child and that 
the highway showed an eighteen-foot skid mark where it finally stopped.
  Officer Giles in testifying stated that he went to the office of Dr. 
Glasgow after the accident and that Chilli was not there, but Chilli's 
wife was in the office.  He then went the Chilli home on Woodland 
Avenue where Chilli was in bed, Chilli claiming that the accident had 
made him sick and nervous and he went to bed.  Giles further testified 
that he could not learn of anyone seeing Chilli give assistance at the 
time of the accident.
  The jury was out about one hour before a verdict was reached.  Chilli 
was not held.

Tyrone Daily Herald, January 12, 1938