| Notes |
- Niagara Gazette - 9/12/1964
YOUNGSTOWN - A grinding
head-on collision in treelined
River Road early today
claimed the lives of four persons,
including three teenagers.
State police and residents
who live near the accident
scene termed it one of the
worst in Niagara County history.
Dead are:
Robert Luzak, 26. 6713
Ralph Court, Town of Niagara,
who was driving alone.
Thomas F. Welch, 19, of
1099 Smith St., Buffalo.
Roger W. Cowder, 17, Roosevelt
Beach, Wilson.
Janice Marilyn Barry, 16, oi
Lake Road, Ransomville.
State police were called to
the scene shortly before 1
a.m.
Swerved to Left
Police said the Luzak vehicle
was southbound in River
Road about a mile north of
Pletcher Road when it failed
to make a curve, swerved into,
the left lane and piled into
the oncoming car carrying
the three youngsters.
Police said the Welch youth
was driving the second car.
He was also listed as the
owner.
The sound of the impact
brought several nearby residents
to the scene.
One witness said it was the
only two-car crash she could
remember in the area.
Scene of Accidents
This winding section of
River Road has been the
scene.of several one-car accidents
and several lives have
been lost as a result of these
s.mashups, mostly c r a s h es
against trees.
A 35-mile limit is posted for
the five-mile stretch between
Lewiston and Youngstown.
Police said the damage done
to the two vehicles indicated
excessive rates of speed.
An observer told the Gazette
the car carrying the
teen-agers was traveling at a
high rate of speed and the
other was moving at a normal
pace.
Victim Imprisoned
Douglas Wagner of Youngstown,
owner of a collision
shop, was called by police to
help extricate Luzak.
Mr. Wagner said he had to
cut through the door post and
back of the car seat with a
torch to remove the victim.
He said the operation took
about 15 minutes.
The shoe of one of the victims
was imbedded in the
twisted remains of the dash
and floorboard.
The death vehicles were
towed to Youngstown and left
at Wagner's and Kulak's auto
wrecking service.
The .cars drew several curiosity
seekers this morning.
Shuns Road
A youth peered into one of
the cars and examined the
piles of shattered glass and
broken metal. He turned to a
reporter and said:
"I never take that road
home anymore."
Lewiston and Youngstown
ambulance teams took the
four victims to Memorial Hospital
in Niagara Falls.
Investigator R a l p h Fuller
and Trooper Frank P a n z a
headed the state police investigating
team.
They were aided by Frank
Wasco of the Lewiston Village
police and Constable Steven
Sarkozy of the Town of Niagara.
Oxygen was given some of
the victims by first-aid teams.
Toll Now Is 20
The Niagara County Sher-
Iff's Department said the fatality
toll rose to 20 as a result
of the accident. The figure
is for fatal crashes on"
county highways outside the",,
three cities.
Miss Barry was a cheerleader
and a member of the
Yorkers Club at Wilson Cen*
trab School. She was a senior.
A friend of Janice said "she
was a very pretty girl and a
good student. She had red
hair and freckles."
Janice is survived by her
parents, Mr.,and Mrs. Francis
Barry; a brother, Duane, and
three sisters, Gail, Barbara,
and Beverly.
Services will be held at the
Hardison Funeral Home, Ransomville,
at a time to be announced.
Rev. Clarence French will
officiate. -
Employed by Builder
Mr. Luzak was employed by
the Calvano Construction Co.
He was born in Niagara Falls
and attended schools in the
Town of Lewiston.
Surviving are his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. John Luzak;
five' brothers, John Luzak Jr.
and Richard, -Dennis, Law-
rence, and Ronald Luzak; a
sister, Mrs. D u a n e "(Linda)
Bennett of Lewiston, and his
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
Michael Mietlicki of GasporL
Services will be held at the
Tubinis Funeral Home in Niagara
Falls, Tuesday, - at a
time to be announced.
Friends may call at the funeral
home Sunday and Monday
from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Student at Wilson
The Cowder youth was also
a student at Wilson Central
School.
He was born in Niagara
Falls.
He is survived by his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Cowder, 3276 Ontario St.,
Town of Wilson; his maternal
grandfather, Daniel Zortman,
Clearfield, Pa., and his paternal
grandparents, Mr and
Mrs. Harvey. Cowder of Woodland,
Pa.
Funeral services will be
held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the
Hamilton and Clark Funeral
Home, Wilson.
Friends may call at the funeral
home after 3 p.m. Sunday.
Burial will be in Greenwood
Cemetery.
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Abt 1938 - 1964 (~ 26 years)