Robert Chalmers and daughter killed in car accident, 1939

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 New Jersey Mirror 16 Mar 1939


Robert Chalmers and his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Pollard, 25, both of Vineland, were instantly killed on Route 39, near Columbus, on Saturday afternoon, when their car collided with a truck operated by James Thompson, colored, of Atlantic City, who was returning to the seashore resort with a load of potatoes.

 Thompson stated that the car driven by Chalmers appeared to be out of control and was skidding on the snow-covered highway. It careened directly in front of his truck, he said, and was hurled off the road. Chalmers was thrown from the car and Mrs. Pollard's body was wedged between the dashboard and the steering wheel. The two persons were pronounced dead when taken to Burlington County Hospital. Coroner Hiram H. Earnest, of Mount Holly, issued certificates of death from internal injuries. Thompson was released on a technical charge of homicide by automobile, after being taken in custody by troopers from Columbus barracks.

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