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East Moline recorded its seventh traffic fatality of 1967 early yesterday with the death of James Haskins, 29, of Fair fax, Okla., in a fiery four-car crash at the 19th St. Rock Island Lines rail crossing. Three other persons were injured in the accident, one being listed in critical condition. Kenneth J. Hites, 21, of 726 21st St. A. Moline, driver of one of the cars involved, was arrested by East Moline police on a charge of reckless homicide. The accident happened at 4:25 yesterday morning. Police said three southbound cars of 19th St. were stopped at the rail crossing waiting for a train to pass when the fourth car, driven by Hites, rammed into the third car in line and caused the chain reaction accident. The third car in the line of traffic was being driven by Clarence Kemp, 27, of Okla homa City. Passengers in his car were Haskins and Odie Dowdy, 33, also of Oklahoma. The three men were enter tainers at the Harmony Lounge and Supper Club in East Moline and were staying at the Modern istic Motel, Moline. After their car was hit from the rear by the Hires auto, it burst into flames. Haskins was sitting in the middle in the front seat and apparently was unable to get out of the burning car. His body was recovered later from the burned out vehicle. Dowdy got out of the car and ran about 80 feet west with his clothes on fire. Several persons assisted in extinguishing his burning clothes. He is reported to be in critical condition in Moline Public Hospital with severe burns over his entire body. Kemp, driver of the musi cians’ car, is reported today to be in fair condition in Moline Public Hospital. He incurred burns to his hands, feet, face and neck. The next car in the line was operated by Bill Joe Box, 30, of 3215 3rd St., Moline. His wife, Annie, incurred injuries and was treated at Lutheran Hospital. Another passenger in the Box car was his mother, Mrs Georgia Carter, 48, Moline. She was reported to be in satis factory condition today in Lutheran Hospital after being injured in the accident. The Box car was shoved onto one driven by Paul R. Brandt, 24, of 430 19th St. East Moline. Brandt’s car was the first in line, the one closest to the tracks. Gary Archer, 21, of 415 22nd St., Moline, a passenger in the ‘car driven by Hites, also was ‘treated for injuries. Police said the southbound car driven by Hites left 19th St., i skidded 172 feet, and then veered back onto the street and ‘piled into the rear of the car ‘driven by Kemp. Coroner James Shaw has scheduled an inquest for 10 Wednesday morning in the courthouse to investigate the accident. The death of Haskins is the 4th traffic fatality in Rock Island County this year. Several persons at the scene ssisted in extinguishing Dowdy’s burning clothes. They include Lee Beardsley, 3618 13th St, East Moline; Mike Bedford, 3201 24th St., Rock Island; Lee Strohbehn, 2604 27th St., Rock Island; and Peter J. Hernandez, 2720 13th St., East Moline. Hernandez incurred burns and had to be treated at Moline Public Hospital. Arresting officers at the scene were East Moline Patrol men Tom Nielsen, Bill Ford and Tom Trudel. They were assist ed by Patrolmen George Ras mussen and Art Gorman. Silvis police assisted with traffic con trol at the scene. East Moline fire department also was called, and received an assist from Silvis volunteer firemen. The body of Haskins was taken to Primm - Sullivan Funeral Home, East Moline. He was born in Bartlesville, Okla. Mr. Haskins came to this area last month and had been employed as a muscian with the Wayne Kemp group at the Harmony Lounge and Supper Club. The body will be taken to the Whitlock Funeral Home, Shid ler, Okla., for services and bur ial later this week. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Haskins, Fairfax, Okla.; a daughter, Tobyn Jennifer Haskins, Tulsa, Okla., and a brother, Jack, San Francisco, Calif. One man was burned to death and another critically burned in a four-car collision early yesterday morning on the north side of the Rock Island Lines tracks on East Moline’s 19th St. The auto at right, third in line waiting at the railroad crossing, was hit in the rear, shoving it into the second vehicle. The gasoline tank ruptured on the auto at right, causing it to burn.
Newspaper Details
Moline Daily Dispatch
Moline, Illinois, US
Mon, Dec 04, 1967
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
James M.
USA 19 Sep 2026
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