Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1920 — CHEVROLET DIES IN AUTO RACE [ARTICLE]

CHEVROLET DIES IN AUTO RACE

Great Driver Instantly Killed in World’s Premier Contest. y O’DONNELL IS NEAR DEATH Mechanician John Bresnahan Sarloualy Injured When Care Crashin Big Thanksgiving Event at Loe Angeles. Loe Angeles, Cal., Nov. 26. —Gaston Chevrolet, one of the world's premier automobile race drivers, was Instantly killed;' Lyle Joies, mechanician for Eddie O'Donnell, was fatally Injured and died later at the Speedway hospital, and Eddie O'Donnelb 1* dying of a fractured skull as the result of a collision between Chevrolet's Frontenac and the Deusenberg car driven by O'Donnell In the turn from the stretch in the 250-mlle race. John Bresnahan, Chevrolet's mechanician seriously but not fatully hurt. O'Donnell May Recover. - It is reported from the hospital that the surgeons were operating on O’Donnell in an effort to save his life. In addition to a fractured skull he had both arms broken and was hurt internally. The accident occurred Just after leaving the stretch in O’Donnell’s one hundred and fifty-eighth lap. O’Donnell, in an effort to pass Chevrolet, who was leading, crept up beside the Frontenac car, and the latter swerved. The cars came together with a crash and caromed to the outer edge of the course into the fence, a long section of which was torn loose. They then rolled toward the Infield. Both cars were demolished. Chevrolet was killed Instantly. John Bresnahan, his mechanician, miraculously escaped with Injuries that subsequently proved to be slight. Lyle Joies, his mechanician, was riding with O’Donnell in the Deusenberg entry. No. 9, died of his Injuries at the Speedway hospital, wljere all soar injured men were rushed after the accident. Aocldent Casta Gloom Over Crowd. The accident cast a gloom over the biggest crowd that ever attended an automobile race on the track. There were approximately 100,000 people In the stands, and a majority of them saw the smash-up. There was scarcely a cheer as Roscoe Searles, driving Deusenberg car, No. 10, with tears streaming down his face as he realized the fate of his teammates, received the checkered flag, denoting his victory. Chevrolet’s death occurred when the greatest honor within the reach of an auto driver was within his grasp—the national championship. With Murphy finishing behind the leaders and Melton and De Palma out of the race, Chevrolet would have been crowned speed king for the 1920 seasop.