Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Varnell Betty S and Charlene 520508 p1
Three (two) Dead in Accident Near Vernalis: Betty S & Charlene Varnell; Three persons died as the result of a flaming
two-car auto crash at the intersection of Maze Road and River Road early Sunday morning. Killed were a month old
infant Charlene Varnell, daughter of South Modesto sailor, and Mrs. Senia Wilson, 36, of Pioneer, driver of one of the
cars. Mrs. Betty Sue Varnell, 18, mother of the infant, died Monday night in the county hospital as the result of injuries
receive in the accident.  The sailor Charles E. Varnell, 21, is in Oak Knoll Hospital.  His condition is described as critical
and physicians said he had a 50-50 chance of pulling through. Two others in the accident, Arlene Wilson, 13, and Doris
Hoadley, 14, both of Pioneer, are hospitalized with multiple injuries and burns. The Wilson girl suffered multiple serious
face cuts, a fractured pelvis, two broken legs and possible internal injuries.  The Hoadley girl received a fractured arm,
multiple serious cuts and some bruises. California Highway Patrol officers said Mrs. Wilson, driving south on River
Road, evidently failed to heed a boulevard stop sign.  Varnell was driving west on Maze road.  The two cars overturned
and burst into flames. The same intersection was the scene of an accident several years ago when another car apparently
failed to heed the stop sign.  Killed in that accident were a prominent Oakland couple enroute to Yosemite on their
honeymoon.