Inc. 1967
Leaving a Midget League football game last night, James R. Lehew, Jr., 17, 28 Schoomaker avenue, was fatally injured in Monessen last night. The youth was admitted to Charleroi-Monessen Hospital about 9:15 p.m. and died this morning at 8:20 o'clock. Hospital attaches said the cause of death was a skull fracture. Lehew was struck by an automobile operated by John Beck, Jr., 16, 961 Schoonmaker Ave., Monessen, who was driving north on Rostraver St. while the Midget League was still in progress. Lehew had left the game with Robert Warbutton, 18, 513 Church St., Belle Vernon and they were both hit by the automobile. Warbutton received only bruised knees but Lehew was believed to have been knocked against parker cars. He received a severe head injury, police reported before the lad was brought to the hospital in the Check ambulance. Car were parked on both sides of narrow Rostraver street, Beck was not speeding. He came to an instant stop after hitting the two lads. These facts were developed by the police inquiry. Police had one theory that the Lehew boy was getting into a car but witnesses indicated he was walking with Warbutton and both were struck in mid-street. The death of Lehew was unexpected. When brought to the hospital with the Warbutton boy, he talked with the attending physicians and said he "just didn't know how the accident happened." During preliminary treatment he wise cracked with doctors and did not appear badly hurt. There was a bruise on the head but Lehew complained chiefly about a back injury. (He suffered a fractured scarum as well as the skull) Doctors released Warbutton, but advised that the Lehew boy should stay. During the night pressure increased on the brain and doctors again were in attendance. The fracture, it developed ran from the right temple to the base of the brain. Surgery was not advisable, the increasing shock and death occurred at 8:20 a.m. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs.James R. Lehew,sr. Friends are being received at the Check Home for Funerals,100 Schoonmaker avenue,where funeral services will be held Saturday,Sept. 27,ar 9:30 a.m.,with additional services to follow from St. Leonard's Church at 10 o'clock,with Rev. O.J. Kirby officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Joseph R. Check,funeral director.
Your condolences will be posted here.