The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-18

= to-day that the truck he was driving was the property of Judge Edward A. Armstrong of Princeton, N. J., employer of Ballinger. The police in communication with the judge learned this morning that Ballinger took the car without permission.
 Four witnesses were quizzed to- day by Deputy Coroner Smyth in connection with the death of Ever ett B. Merriam, 26, son of Mrs Flor ence s. Merriam of First avenue. There were no eye-witnesses to the actual tragedy. Passing autoists on the Chase park boulevard came across the youths overturned ma chine and discovered him lying life less on the lawn that borders the highway. The deceased was very well known throughout the city, be- ing a member of a prominent fam fly and popular among the mem- bers of the Waterbury Country club.
 The third tragedy that is receiv- ing the official attention of the dep- uty coroner occurred early Sunday morning when a Ford roadster op- erated by John O'Brien, a guard at the Cheshire reformatory, struck and fatally injured Carl Edwin Nordstrom, Al, of 23 Harmon street. Hamden. The fatality occurred near the old underpass on the Cheshire Milldale road short distance from the reformatory. It Is known as Blacks corner.
 A peculiar feature of this acci- dent Is that Nordstrom at this early hour of the day was walking toward Milldale in the opposite direction to his home O'Brien was heading toward the reformatory coming from Milldale. In the blinding rain he failed to see the lone pedestrian until 1t was too late to avoid hitting him. After stopping his car O'Brlen walked back to ascertain the extent of the mans injuries. In the rain and darkness he was unable to ma the victim. Later with the aid or Frank Stapleton and his son, Attor- ney Luke Stapleton, the body was fou ad in a ditch. The body was re- mo yed to the Gould funeral home in Southington following an investi- sation by Medical Examiner Charles k. Denison and Constable Charles l.. Fossett.
 O'Brien was questioned yesterday by Deputy Coroner Smyth and re- lea Hd under bonds of $50Q pending more detailed investigation. O'Brien is the only witness to the accident.
 Members of the detective bureau engaged in probing the clrcum- . stances of the accident in winch Everett Merriam lost his life were endeavoring to-day to determine Il possible, whether the youths car was forced off the highway by a passing machine or whether ne a.- tempted a dangerous curve while travelling last. From all indications his machine turned turtle twice and it's driver was hurled from his seat with considerable force. Marks on the lawn furnished evidence that the machine travelled about 1O0 wards after leaving the highway. Friends of the deceased claim that undoubtedly he was forced off the highway The young man was re- turning from the country clup. where he had spent the afternoon playing tennis.
 Passing autoists stopping to as- certain the reason for the position of the auto come across Merriam body lying on the lawn. Several doctors were on the scene within few minutes after the accident, put it was readily realized tnat tne youth was beyond medical aid.
 The police guarded the body anu took care of the auto until Deputy Coroner Smyth arrived ana com menced his official Investigation.
 The deceased, a native of Water bury. was a graduate of the Crosby high school and Williams college. class of 1927. He was connected with the sales department of the American Hose company. He was a member of a family that has been socially prominent here for many years. He is survived by his mother and sister. .,,
 The death of the Stevens youth tho disa npea rance of his former pal, Rallinger, and the report that tne latter was driving car without tns permission of it's owner has star.eu inc poIice on his trail It IS posslpie that the young man became pauIy frightened and apprehensiVe rest he be arrested for theft of the machlne. He may surrender shortly 10 the authorities.
 According to the story outlined by inc police Ballinger borrowed the Armstrong company's truck ana came to Waterbury to visit some oi his former chums. While giving nls friends a ride along the OronoKe road otis Caouette of 25 Highland avcnue. Edward Mcdonald or Robbips street and the Stevens youth ware his companions. The las' named stood on the left running hoard of the machine. Mcdonald was on the right and Caouette shared the drivers seat with bal. finger. In attempting to avoid ditch and while travelling apparent lv at a fast rate of speed the ma- chine left the highway. struck rock and shot up a small empahh ment and collided with tree. travelled nearly ten yards pelor' coming to stop. IL, ,onions screamed. Their cries at ,racted the attention of Miss Liiiiaf Iudd assistant clerk of the superior ,nu.. She called to her sister Rose. to summon pr George Galley whose residence is but short uls .ance from the Judd home.
 m, Galley rushed the injured lac rho was unconscious at the time. te Inc Waterbury hospital. where nt aied four hours later. He recovered sonsciousness sufficiently to recog niye his parents. The accident hap naned about II o'clock Sunda! morning and shortly after 'ocloct The police were notified that ne na' s"cc,,mbed to his injuries. An au sonsy was performed to-day to de sornnine whether he suffered the Tn
 iuries when thrown to the ground or or whether he was crushed betweei The truck and the tree. He sustained broken shoulder. seven fractured ribs which punctured his lungs.
 The youth was a student at thu Park road school and was to grad nate next month. Besides his par ents he is survived by one brother
 Ballinger formerly resided VIII his parents on Robbins street. Tn family moved to New Bedforh when MT Ballinger, the Father, sev