Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D12089-4
Date(s)
- 1941-10-11 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
Two soldiers from Fort Lewis narrowly escaped serious injury on October 11, 1941 when the truck they were driving skidded on the wet pavement on the bridge over Chambers Creek, crashed through the guard rail, and plunged into the water. The truck, loaded with fuel wood, quickly settled to the bottom, 20 feet below the surface. The soldiers were able to force open the doors on the truck, and they popped to the surface like corks. Charles Alex, who lived near the bridge, helped pull the soldiers to shore, and drove them back to the army base. Driver of the vehicle was identified as Pvt. Howard D. Blalock from Ventura, California, of Battery D, 144th Field Artillery. His passenger was tentatively listed as a Pvt. Hershey. (T. Times 10/11/1941 p.1-article only)
Chambers Creek Bridge (Wash.); Bridges--Washington--1940-1950; Traffic accidents;