Children:
Harold Laubach Brodhead
Richard Donald Brodhead
Evelyn Brodhead
Charles Wesley Brodhead
Stanley Edward Brodhead
Edward R. Brodhead
Sibling(s):
Elva Judd Laubach
|
Notes:
Easton Express, Monday, September 14, 1959, page 1
Palmer Woman Killed As Car Lurches Back
Mrs. Harry Brodhead Victim In Garage At Her Home
Mrs. Erma Brodhead, 54, of 1705 Stephens St., Palmer Township, was injured fatally in a freak accident in the garage at the rear of her home last night. She was the widow of Harry Brodhead.
Palmer Township police said Mrs. Brodhead was pinned against a pillar in the garage when the car from which she had just alighted lurched backwards. This happened, they said, as the victim’s daughter, Miss Evelyn M. Brodhead, 29, attempted to set the automatic gear shift in “park” position.
Mrs. Brodhead was pronounced dead on arrival at Easton Hospital by Dr. Ward Gypson an interne, Fred L. Ashton, deputy Northampton County Coroner, said death apparently was caused by a fracture at the base of the skull.
According to police, Mrs. Brodhead and her daughter were in the car as it entered the garage. Mrs. Brodhead, who had been driving, got out of the vehicle.
Police gave this version of the accident; Mrs. Brodhead, who was standing in the garage on the driver’s side of the car, told her daughter to start the engine. The daughter complied.
Mrs. Brodhead then told the daughter to put the gear shift lever into the park position. Her daughter at first declined, citing the fact that the car might move or buck as the lever crossed from neutral position through reverse to get to the park position. When Mrs. Brodhead insisted, the daughter moved the shift lever.
The car lurched when the shift passed into reverse. The door of the driver’s side, which had been left standing open, caught Mrs. Brodhead, knocked her against the pillar and pinned her there.
The suburban Rescue Co., Palmer Township, took the victim to the hospital.
Patrolmen Nicholas DiVietro and Charles Wenner investigated.
Police said today that no charges will be filed against the daughter.
Mrs. Brodhead was born Aug 17, 1905, in Easton, a daughter of Mrs. Cora M. Judd, Laubach, of Palmer Heights, and the late Wesley B. Laubach. She was a member of Memorial United Church of Christ Wilson. Her husband died Dec 7, 1957.
Surviving, besides her mother and daughter, are five sons, Harold L. Baltimore, Md. and Charles W., Richard D. Stanley E. and Edward R. all of Easton; one sister, Mrs. Elva J. Fackenthal, Palmer Heights, and nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bender Funeral Home, Easton. |
