A husband and wife from South Bend, Ind., were fatally injured early Friday as the result of a two-car accident on Route 24 at the west edge of Little America.
Killed in the accident were Kenneth Riddle, 63, and Blanche Riddle, 70. They were passengers in a car driven by Doris Crum, 53, of Astoria. Crum was listed in guarded condition in the intensive care unit at Graham Hospital late Friday.
The driver of the other vehicle, William F. Heger, 46, of East Peoria was listed in serious condition and his wife, Rose Heger, was listed in guarded condition, also in the intensive care unit at Graham Hospital. The accident occurred at approximately 9:28 a.m.
According to State Police, Crum was eastbound on Route 24 when her car crested a hill at the west edge of town and saw another auto, in the same lane, waiting to turn left into a private drive. The Crum auto, in an attempt to keep from striking the stopped car in the rear, skidded sideways into the westbound lane into the path of the Heger auto.
The Heger auto struck the Crum auto in the passenger side where Mrs. Riddle was a passenger in the front seat and Mr. Riddle was a passenger in the back seat. The impact of the collision apparently spun the Crum auto around with it coming to a stop in the ditch on the north side of the highway and the Heger auto went off the highway just in front of that car.
Blanche Riddle was declared dead at the scene by Fulton County Coroner George Kauzlarich. Kenneth Riddle had to be rescued from the car and died later after arriving at Graham Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Heger were enroute to Astoria to visit her mother, Mrs. Lloyd Fisk, and other relatives at the time of the accident.
The three were hospitalized at Graham Hospital in Canton. Mr. Heger received severe facial lacerations and bruises and chest injuries. He was released from the hospital yesterday.
Mrs. Heger received injuries to her shoulder and knee in addition to cuts and bruises. She underwent surgery Friday afternoon for internal injuries and was in intensive care until yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Crum reportedly underwent surgery for lung damage on Monday. She also received other cuts and bruises and was still in intensive care yesterday evening but is recovering and expected to be out of intensive care before too long.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus