Newspaper: Auto Crashes into Train at Crossing Pottsville Republican 
Oct 5,1940

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judi Harst.  
JGHarst@compaq.net


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OCTOBER 5, 1940 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.