Evening star., 1937-01-23
WIFE, q, STANDS
IN SAFETY ZONE IS
RUN DOWN BY CAR
Youth, is, Is Charged With
Reckless Driving, Bad
Brakes on Auto.
TURTLE.BACK' BUTTONS
MISSING FROM AREA
Protectors Removed by Utilities
Commission Order to Aid
Snow Removal

A 23-year- old wife was severely in
jured early today when struck by an
automobile while standing in a Wis
consin avenue safety zone which was
not protected by the usual turtle
back buttons, but merely marked of
by a painted line.
Mrs. Isabelle Willard. 4343 Ellicott
street, was struck by a car said to have
been operated by David r. Wilson, Is,
of 32l3 Wisconsin avenue, who was
charged with reckless driving and
operating a car with defective hand
brakes.
Police said Wilson drove his car
through the safety zone because OF
poor visibility. due to fog.
The accident, which occurred in the
1900 block of Wisconsin avenue, was
similar to that last October in which
Mrs Lauretta E. Holsonbake. 1925
Wisconsin avenue, was killed and her
son, Donald, injured, while they were
standing in a zone in the 5000 block
of the same avenue. The zone in the
latter case also was unprotected by
buttons.
Snow Removal Facilitated.
An investigation revealed the
markers were removed during De-
cember and the first part of this
month by order of the Public Utili-
ties Commission in order to facilitate
snow removal. The order specified the
buttons were to remain off until
March.
Mrs. Willard's husband had just
driven her to the street car stop and
was leaving when the accident oc-
Cured He took his wife to George
town Hospital where it was reported
she possibly suffered fracture of the
ribs and shock. The accident hap
pened about daylight.
Riley E. Elgen, chairman of the
Public Utilities Commission, said the
order which resulted in the removal
of the buttons was temporary re-
lease from the commissions ruling
that the Wisconsin avenue safety
zones be marked with paint and pro-
tected at either end by buttons, de-
signed 70 give a heavy jolt to any
automobile which might strike them.
Snow Plows Damaged.
He said that last Winter the mark
ers often damaged snow ploWs. As a
result, the Highway Department or
dered the buttons removed. it was said.
The order, dated December 3, ap-
piled also to other streets throughout
the city where the markers inter-
fered with the work Of the snow plows.
Meanwhile. death late yesterday of
William P, N. Pierce, 81, of Bloom
ingdale, Ga, an inaugural visitor,
brought Washington's traffic fatality
toll to nine so far this year
Pierce died at Garfield Hospital,
where he was taken Thursday after
being run down at Allison street and
Georgia avenue. The driver of the
car. Sidney Gerstenfeld, 20, of Cap
itol Heights. Md. was held for an
inquest, which probably will take
place Monday.
Alonzo E. Taylor, 81, colored. of
1872 Fourth street, and Preston Free
man. %, colored, Of 1915 Sumner road,
were injured this morning when their
car skidded on the wet street at
Howard road and Shannon place
southeast. hit lamp-post and broke
a fire hydrant. Taylor may have a
fractured skull and Freemen was cut
about the fact and head. They were
taken to Casualty Hospital.
Charles Toms. II. colored. of 1929
Marion street suffered a broken leg
and cuts about the head last night
when hit by an automobile at Thirt-
zenith and r streets
The car, police said. was operated
by william M. White, 80, of 52S Third
street. Toms condition apparently
was not serious, doctors reported.