Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-31


AS the result of the coroner's inquest
yesterday afternoon on the death of A.
A. Umann, killed in the street car ac-
cident Saturday night at Pico street and
Grand avenue, when Pico Heights car
crashed into a Grand avenue coach,
Motorman w. R. Peiffer of the Pico
Heights car was held directly respon-
sible for the accident.
The jury made no recommendation
regarding criminal action, and it will
rest with District Attorney Fredericks
whether the motorman will be charged
with manslaughter.
The inquest was held at O'Clock
at the undertaking establishment of
Overholtzer-M Mills company at Pico
street and Grand avenue, near where
the wreck occurred.
Coroner Trout was successful in OBJ
tanning a jury of business men. Among
them was Leon r. Shelter, manager
of the REQ automobile agency, and
others are said to have had practical
experience in judging speed and abil-
ity to determine the cause of the acci-
dent.
Tells of the Accident
F. D. Humer, 5S14 Los Angeles street,
car, was an important Witness He
said he had the right of way over the
intersecting tracks.
His car was on time at the P1co
street crossing and 1t was going at
a slow rate of speed.
when my car was just. between the
tracks," the witness said, 81 saw the
other car bearing down. I knew in an
instant it would strike us, but / was
powerless to escape the impact.
stayed by my controller and received
slight injuries
Although evidently trying to shield
Motorman Peiffer, Humer admitted that
the Pico car was coming at high rate
of speed and there was no apparent
effort to stop it's impetus on the part
of the motorman.
Admits Being Confused
When Motorman w. r. Peiffer, living
at 1923 East Tenth street was testify
ing, the jurymen examined him with
great care. Mr.. Shelter especially was
active in cross examination.
Peiffer admitted he was practically
a green man. He had only about six
weeks experience as a motorman, he
said
''I knew did not have the right of
way at the Grand avenue crossing"
said the witness, but l lost my bear
ings. I did not know l had reached
In6 tITdnQ avenue CIOSSllS ulllll L SdW
the other car about thirty feet in front
of me.
1.-TWO eastbound cars confused me-"
Peiffer admitted his brakes were in
perfect working order, but he claimed
he was powerless to prevent the dis
aster.
He was subjected to grilling by
several of the iurymen, on the subject
of his inexperience and manifest con-
fusion in the presence of impending
danger.
Peiffer attempted to lay the blame
upon the motorman of an eastbound
Pico car, whom, he said, crossed in
front of the Grand avenue car, thus
leading him to think he had not reached
the intersecting car~lines.
I'm other words, you were lost and
didn't know what to do" said one of
the jurymen, impatiently.
"Yes, | did know where | was" re-
piled Motorman Peiffer, who was en-
trusted to run a car crowded with
passengers on night run, after six
weeks experience.
He could not give any idea as to the
speed he was making, but other wit
nesses testified his car was going at
nearly full speed and probably ap-
preached the crossing at rate exceed
ing twenty miles an hour
Wreck Victims Testify
Dudley Kavanaugh, 1922 South Olive
street, whose wife was dangerously
injured In the accident said he saw the
Pico car just as he arose in his seat
to signal the conductor of the Grand
avenue car to stop, so he and his wife
might alight. He said he realized the
impending crash, as he saw the other
car speeding toward them.
Other witnesses were Hugh C. Glib
son, 1924 FL Molino street a pa assenger
on the Plco Heights car; Joseph A.
Donate. 1922 South Broadway, who
was walking down Pico street; Con-
ductor H. E. Price of the Pico car and
Conductor r. II. Bean of the Grand
avenue car.
The jury returned its verdict, laying
the blame upon the motorman, in less
than ten minutes.