OBIT: David A. PYLE, 1942, native of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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DAVID A. PYLE

Appalling Death of David A. Pyle
Somerset County Man Burned to Crisp on Highway Near Uniontown
Victim's Charred Body Buried at Meyersdale

  David A. Pyle, native of Somerset County, son-in-law of the late Fremont Fike 
of Vim, met death in a sudden and appalling manner at Searight, near Uniontown, 
last Friday.
  Deputy Coroner Steve Haky of Fayette County reported that a tire on a tank 
truck loaded with gasoline, that Pyle was driving on U.S. Route 40, blew out, 
causing him to lose control of the truck at Searight.
  A car driven by Mrs. Mary Zimkowski of Searight collided with the truck and 
was completely demolished, but the woman escaped unhurt.
  The truck upset after running wild about 200 feet.  Pyle was thrown out of the 
driver's seat into the road.  The gasoline with which it was loaded became 
ignited and the explosion that followed enveloped Pyle's body with liquid flame.
  The burning gasoline flowed to the two-story home of William Doraz, nearby, 
and it was completely destroyed with all its contents.  An adjacent service 
station was also destroyed.
  Uniontown and New Salem firemen responded to an alarm, but could do nothing to 
save the properties which were virtually destroyed before the firemen arrived.
  Pyle's body was almost completely incinerated where it lay on the road.  
Spectators could do nothing to extinguish the flames before the burning gasoline 
was entirely consumed and every inflammable substance the burning fluid could 
reach was destroyed.
  The victim of the holocaust had lived in Uniontown for some time.  He is 
survived by his wife, Ellen, daughter of the late Fremont Fike, who died at his 
home at Vim last March.  A son and a daughter and a grandchild also survive the 
unfortunate Mr. Pyle, who was a good citizen and industrious man. He is also 
survived by a number of relatives living in Somerset County.
  Mrs. Pyle's brother, Samuel Fike, employed at Akron, Ohio, and her brother-in-
law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Fresh, also of Akron, were promptly 
notified of the tragedy by wire, and left immediately for Uniontown to lend aid 
and comfort to the stricken family.
  On Saturday the charred remains were brought to Meyersdale by a Uniontown 
undertaker, for interment in Union Cemetery.  The remains were accompanied by 
the bereaved relatives from Uniontown and Akron.  W. C. Price & Son had charge 
of the burial arrangements here.

Meyersdale Republican, July 23, 1942