Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-06-12
Auto Accident Fatal To Miss
Hattie Thomas.
Washington Star Of Monday.

Washington Star of Monday.
Blinded by the bright lights of an ap-
preaching automobile, James Covington
cOlored, chauffeur for Wade & Campbell
turned his car to one side of the road neal
Glen Echo about 8 o'clock last night and
the machine went over an embankment,
turning over and pinning its occupants to
the ground. Before Covington and his four
passengers could get away from the over
turned vehicle the gasoline tank exploded
and all the occupants of the car were more or
less burned. Miss Hattie Thomas, twenty
six years old of Baltimore. died at George
town University Hospital five hours later,
as result of her injuries.
Friends of Miss Thomas in the car with
her were Edward S. Former and Antonio
j. Scopinich, of Baltimore, and Mrs, Nance
jeremiah. of Washington. All the mem
bers of the party were taken to George
town University Hospital in automobiles
belonging to P. NJ Butt. Samuel Schwartz
and M. f. Frey.
The Baltimore friends of Mrs jeremiah
came to this city yesterday morning and
spent the day at Great Falls. Soon after
8 O'Clock the party started homeward, II
is said, and it was when the car reached
point short distance this side of Glen
Echo that the accident occurred.
The bright lights on the approaching
on fha do
that a collision was inevitable, it is stated.
and Scopinich called to the chauffeur to be
careful. Covington made quick turn to
one side and an instant later the automo-
bile and its occupants were in a heap
short distance off the road.
81 thought we we're all right" said
Scopinich. speaking of the accident, land
was trying to get Mrs jeremiah from the
wreckage when there was an explosion,
and in an instant it seemed that the whole
car and those who had been its occupants
were enveloped in flames"
Every member Of the party received
burns, Miss Thomas condition being more
serious than the others.
In an attempt to save Miss Thomas
Scopinich removed his coat and made a
frantic effort with it to subdue the flames.
and every effort was made to save her
from injury. but by the time the blaze was
extinguished she was in dying condition
About the time Miss Thomas was re-
turned to the roadway the automobiles of
Mr.. Schwartz, Mr.. Butt and Mr.. Frey ap-
peared, Record runs were made to the
hospital, and the several victims of the
accident were hurried to wards for emer-
gency treatment.
Physicians realized that Miss Thomas
case was hopeless, and all they we're able
to do for her was to relieve her sufferings.
The colored chauffeur received severe
injury to his foot in addition to burns, and
Former suffered an injury to his leg II
in the hospital probably will recover. They
were all still in the institution this morn
ing and, it was stated, it may be necessary
for them to remain some time.
The police notified Miss Thomas parents
of the accident soon after the young woman
reached the hospital Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
hurried here on the first train and were
with their daughter when she died, about
O'Clock this morning.
Montgomery county officials were mott
fed Of the death of Miss Thomas, and an
investigation of the affair resulted in the
giving of certificate of accidental DEATH
The body was taken to Baltimore this after
noon.