- Inquest Shows No Gross Negligence In Traffic Death Jury Finds Driver of Car Failed to Keep Proper Lookout Kaukauna
George J. Besnah, Chicago and North Western railway switchman fatally injured in an accident here Saturday, came to his death through the "failure of N. L. Ropp in not keeping the proper lookout," a coroner's jury decided here yesterday at the municipal building. Besnah was crushed between a car, driven by Ropp, and an engine. District Attorney Raymond P. Dohr said that Ropp's failure to keep a proper lookout did not constitute gross negligence and that no criminal action against him is contemplated. Evidence introduced at the inquest showed that Ropp was, approaching the Main street crossing from the south while Besnah was engaged in flagging traffic. Witnessed Accident : George Kramer, engineer and the only witness to see Ropp's car ac tually strike Besnah, said he thought Ropp was traveling about 30 miles an hour, and that the switchman realized his danger when the approaching car was about 10 feet away, dodging in an attempt to avoid being hit Kromer, Dan Hennessey, switch engine foreman, Ben Zwick, fireman, and Richard Helf, switchman. all riding on the engine, testifies the bell had been ringing continuously since 200 feet east of the accident. Under the questioning of Raymond P. Dohr, district attorney, it was brought out that visibility was good, the pavement dry and no obstructions which might have obscured Ropp's vision were present. Brakes Didn't Work Ropp was not at the inquest, being confined to his nome, unable to testify, his physician reported. John Haid, assistant chief of police, and Kromer, told the jury they had questioned Ropp as to how the accident happened, and he had told them his brakes did not work, and that he saw no man in front of the engine. Dohr remarked that it would appear Ropp would be unable to offer more information than this if he was present. Dr. A. M. Bachhuber, who arrived on the scene of the accident almost immediately, said Besnah came to his death from the amputation of his left leg, shock, hemorrhage and a very likely skull fracture. Besnan died shortly after he was taken to St. Elizabeth's hospital at Appleton.
Page Four APPLETON POST-CRESCENT, Wednesday Evening, September 27,1939
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1873 - 1939 (66 years)
Obituary
