Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Damitz R H 370319 p1
R. H. Damitz; Two Killed in Series of West Side Highway Wrecks; Fatally injured in an auto crash on the West Side
Highway Wednesday morning, B. H. Damitz of Vernalis passed away that afternoon at a Tracy hospital without regaining
consciousness. Damitz collided head-on with an El Solyo Ranch truck driven by Lewis Pope, the smash occurring right
on a bridge about a quarter mile south of the El Solyo packing shed.  Damitz new coupe was telescoped, the front portion
being completely crushed and he was terrible injured in the crash. Pope escaped with minor-scratches the front wheels of
the truck being driven under the car.  The accident seemed to be inexplainable as there was clear vision, straight, highway
and no other traffic involved.  The deceased was employed on the C. P. Arambel ranch near Vernalis.
Car Upsets; Later in the day, another mishap occurred a short distance from the scene of the crash when a car containing
four adults and an infant child skidded on the soft shoulder of the highway and turned over two or three times before
stopping. A West Stanislaus District WPA crew working nearby rushed to their aid and righted the car and the occupants
were found to have escaped with no more than numerous bruises and were able to continue their journey, the car being
able to travel. Numerous complaints have been made regarding the condition of the highway shoulders between Westley
and Vernalis, passing being dangerous in wet weather, especially when large trucks are encountered. Train Kills Man The
day's mishaps in that area were completed in the evening when the northbound evening passenger struck a car on the
crossing where the old West Side Highway routing joins the realignment about five miles north of Vernalis.  The lone
occupant, Frank Mugnog, Filipino ranch worker, was instantly killed.  The engine was also damaged in the collision and
was delayed some time in getting started again.