Obituary of Joseph Arnold White ~ 1939

Source: Wallace Enterprise Apr 20 1939





Bicycle Rider Dies Instantly In Truck Crash 

Joseph White, 13 Years Old, Killed Near Here When He Drove His Bicycle Into
Front Of A Truck Driven By Joe Bland Of Wallace; Coroner Exonerates Bland 
Of Any Blame 

Accident Occurred On Tuesday Morning 

Eye Witness Says Accident Was Entirely Unavoidable 

Joseph White, a 13-year-old white child, was almost instantly killed 
Tuesday morning when his bicycle was struck by a panel delivery truck 
driven by Joe Bland, well-known Wallace youth, about 4 miles from Wallace 
on the Chinquapin-Wallace road.
The child, it was said, attempted to pass a highway truck with his bicycle 
and smashed into the left front fender of the delivery truck. He died 
before medical aid could be summoned.
Coroner Ralph Jones, who was called to the scene shortly after the accident
occurred, ruled that an inquest was not necessary after witnesses had told 
him that the accident was entirely unavoidable.
Charlie Ritch, a farmer who lived nearby and who was at work in his fields 
near the highway, was the only eye-witness to testify. He said that he saw 
the White child trailing a heavy highway truck riding his bicycle. He said 
that he saw the delivery truck coming, meeting the highway truck in front 
of him. He smashed into the front of Bland's truck before Bland could 
either stop or get out of the way.
Doctors described the child as badly broken and bruised. His bike was 
demolished.
Funeral services were held from the home of the child's grandparents 
Wednesday afternoon. Interment followed in the family cemetery.
The child is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey White, and two 
sisters and one brother.



Back to Duplin Obituaries Index Back to Duplin County Death Certificates

Return to Duplin County Page