Hot Lake Crossing Scene Of Drowning
Aged Traveler Found Dead Under Car in Ditch Aside of Highway Yesterday Morning
Word was brought here by N.N. West, photographer, of North Powder, that J.B. Derringer, whose driver’s license gave his home as Salem, was drowned under a Chevrolet Phaeton when the car left the grade at the turn just this side of the highway viaduct near Hot Lake. The accident is said to have occurred at about 10 a.m. yesterday. Derringer was pinned under the car that landed upside down in water held by the ditch. Derringer had crossed the viaduct, traveling south, when the accident occurred.
The driver’s license, dated in 1927, found on the man’s body gave his age as 69. The car bore an Idaho license, which might indicate that he was now a resident of that state.
Mr. West stated that the body had just been recovered from under the car when he stopped at the scene and was taken to the Cock Bros. undertaking parlors at Union.
Coroner Investigating
Coroner F.L. Ralston of La Grande was called and was making an investigation, but had discovered no information further than given above at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
North Powder News
Friday, April 1, 1932