Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-18
INVESTIGATE CRASH
INVOLVING ATTACHE
Man Near Death as Result
of Collision With Car of
Comdr. PoIiCh.

While Paul Edward Hammond, %
years old, of 1915 Twentieth street, lay
unconscious and near death at Emer-
gency Hospital today, Capt. William G..
Stott of No. 3 precinct was preparing
a special report for Supt. OF Police
Henry q. Pratt of an accident at Con-
necticut avenue and N street last night
in which Hammond'S light coupe was
in collision with a sedan driven by
Comdr Juan Polich, naval attache Of
the Chilean embassy.
Young Hammond received probable
skull fracture and severe decorations
| about the head and one ear when
hurled to the pavement by the impact.
His condition was described as critical
at the hospital this morning.
Was Returning From Annapolis.
Comdr. Polich, returning from visit
to the Naval Academy, at Annapolis,
was proceeding north on Connecticut
avenue when Hammond's machine
crossed the avenue going east on N
street.
The collision, which occurred at 1880
O'Clock, swung the lighter coupe COM
pletely around, and Comdr Polich'S car
careened over the east curb Of Con-
necticut avenue, bowling over a small
tree.
witnesses said Hammond was lying
almost under the wheels of the Polich
machine when picked up, having been
thrown considerable distance from his
own car.
Hammond was taken to the hospital
| in passing automobile, driven by H. o.
Payne of 1881 S street, while members
of Comdr. Polich's party waited at the
scene for the arrival of police, and then
accompanied Motor Cycle Ofhcer C. w.
Richmond to No. 3 precinct.
Comdr. Polich, who was in uniform at
the time, remained at the precinct until
police completed their report of the &C.
cident.
Several eye-witneSses informed police
that Comdr. Polich'S machine was run
ming at an excessive speed when the
mishap occurred. They agreed that
Hammond drove onto the avenue at a
cautious speed.
POlich Calls at Hospital.
Comdr. Polich this morning charac-
! terized the accident as an unfortunate
but unavoidable one. He was solicitous
as to young Hammond's welfare and
called the hospital to ascertain his
| condition.
Through an interpreter at the Chilean
| Embassy the naval attache explained
| that he had just let passengers out OF
his car at the Mayfiower Hotel and
was proceeding north on Connecticut
avenue He said that from the time
of leaving the Mayf1ower until the
crash occurred, he had not shifted his
car beyond second gear.
| The diplomat was positive that he
had proceeded with green lights at M
! and N streets, and was exercising que
caution when his car came into col
/ lision with Hammond's machine at N
street. He pointed out that he believed
he had the right of way.
Hammond's machine was hit, the
diplomat said, at the right front wheel,
turned broadside to Comdr. Polich's
car, hit again in the middle and
dragged several feet as the diplomats
machine swerved up on the curbing
on the northeast corner Of Connecticut
| avenue and N street.
Comdr. Polich said he jumped from
his machine as soon as 1t came to a
stop and picked the unconscious form
of Hammond from the street. A crowd
gathered quickly, he said, and, unable
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