Peck Farmer Auto Victim

Car Overturned on Russell Grade Yesterday.

Brakes Not Effective

R. J. McConnell, Resident of Farmington Ridge, Crushed by Back of Front Seat.

Peck, Aug. 4 (Special to the Tribune)

R. J. McConnell, a farmer of Farmington ridge, was killed at 2 o'clock this afternoon when an automobile owned and driven by Fred Rhodes of Reubens overturned on the Russell ridge grade while descending the hill to Peck. Mr. McConnell was caught by the back of the front seat, the weight of the car resting across his chest. Mr. Rhodes was caught by both legs but succeeded in freeing himself and was successful in raising the car until Mr. McConnell could crawl out. Mr. McConnell rose to his feet, walked around the car and then was compelled to lie down. He was dead in five minutes after he was extricated from the car. Dr. J. M. Lyle of Peck and Dr. Jones of Nezperce were called but Mr. McConnell was dead when they reached the scene of the accident. Mr. Rhodes was badly bruised but his injuries are not of a serious nature.

It appears Mr. McConnell and Mr. Rhodes had been on Russell ridge to look at a ranch and were returning when the accident occurred. It seems the descent of the hill was being successfully made until a reverse curve was reached, when the brakes suddenly gave way and the car shot forward at great speed. The car struck the inside bank of the road and after running up on the bank for a short distance overturned and came to a stop upside down and crosswise of the road. Neither Mr. McConnell nor Mr. Rhodes had a chance to free himself and Mr. McConnell was caught by the back of the seat while Mr. Rhodes legs were caught. The Hugh Strodes ranch was near at hand and assistance was soon on the scene but the injuries received by Mr. McConnell were of such a character that his life could not be saved.

R. J. McConnell was a man about 50 years of age and had resided in the Peck section for a number of years. He was a man of family and was held in high esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances. The funeral arrangements have not been made.