Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20
RESULT OF AN ACC|DNET
CORONER'S VERDICT REGARDING
DEATH OF VIM. II. COLLINS.
Jury, However, Recommends More
Stringent Regulations Regarding
the Operation of Automobiles.

A coroner's jury to inquire into the cause
of the death of William H. Collins, who
was struck by an automobile Wednesday
night last, near the intersection of 10Th
and NJ streets northwest, and who died
Thursday night from the injuries he re-
ceived, decided this morning that his death
was the result of an accident but the YER
dict contains a recommendation for the
adoption of more stringent rules for the
government of automobile operators.
The inquest took place at the morgue this
morning and was conducted by Coroner
Ramsay hewitt. Messrs. w F. McNulty,
Major. E. Leizeau and Lewis Holmes
We're sworn in the jury in the case.
Isaac Bailey, the operator of the machine
that struck Collins, the first witness
called. He stated that he was passing
along NJ street between 10th and nth
streets when some one called.
He turned his head just as the man was
struck. Witness. testified he was on the
proper side of the street, about three and
half feet from the curb. There was album
dance of light to see. After knocking the
man down the machine about forty
feet. Witness stated he stopped his car at
once, but did not get out. as he was scared.
He spoke to no one of the accident the
night it occurred. as the owner of it was
asleep when he reached his house.
Testimony Of Eye-Witnesses
T. H. Wright was standing in front of
Odd Fellows Hall. NJ street between 10Th
and 18th streets, and his attention was at
tracted by noise. He saw man lying in
the street endeavoring to get up, after hay
ing been struck by an automobile. Recog
nized the man as VIM II. Collins, with
whom he had been talking few minutes
before Witness assisted the injured man
into Odd Fellows Hall cafe, and later took
him home. The physician who was called
in did not apparently think that Collins
was badly injured. The latter had walked
to his home, assisted by witness and an
other person. The automobile, witness said
stopped about forty feet from the scene Of
the accident.
c. II. Hall, laborer in the government
printing office, was next called. The wit
ness was at the corner of 18th and NJ streets
northwest and heard noise as If an auto
mobile had hit some obstruction. He heard
some one call stop that man." and he saw
Bailey the automobile operator, coming
along. He, with others, stopped him, and
asked him why he had not rung his gong
and he replied that ''if the man had been
on the sidewalk he would not have been
hit"
Bailey was apparently riding away and
showed absolutely no interest, the witness
stated, in the man he had run over. Wit
ness saw the man lying on the street and
crowd about him. Bailey, the automobile
operator, the witness said, made no effort
to aid the injured man.
A. H. Hawkins, living at 1906 II street
northwest. knew nothing of the accident,
but saw the man after he was struck
J. G. Turley. living in Ivy City, was next
sworn. He saw Wright and Collins stand
ing on the sidewalk as he went into the
Odd Fellows Hall Cafe. When he came
out he saw an automobile running along
in about the center of the street 1t had
all lamps lit Witness heard a crash and
some one said that Collins had been struck.
He ran into the street and saw the man
lying in the street, which was well lighted
He had no difficulty in seeing the automo-
bile. The machine stopped about forty
feet from the scene of the accident witness
said. He did not hear the bell rung