RICHEY

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 06:06:04 :

San Rafael Independent
Monday, December 13, 1943
Page 1

Novatoan Killed In Drunk Driver Crash
Elmer Richy Dies In Car Wreckage; Wife Badly Hurt
Two Accused ‘Drunks’ In Other Car Under Guard In Hospital Here

One man was killed, his wife critically hurt and two others were injured in a head-on collision on the highway near Novato early last evening which resulted in three persons being hospitalized in San Rafael, two of them under sheriff’s guard pending preferring of formal charges of drunk driving with injuries and involuntary manslaughter against one and “drunk in an automobile” against the other.

The dead man is Elmer Lewis Richy, 54, of Novato, driver of a car in which he was accompanied by his wife, which was struck head-on as he turned onto the main highway from a side road. His chest was crushed when he was caught behind the steering wheel. Mrs. Bessie Richy, 45, is critically injured in Cottage Hospital while in another room, Chris Heintz, 31, of San Francisco and his companion, Bryant Spaulding, 46, of Oakland are less seriously hurt.

The Richy car was turning north onto the highway when Heintz’ southbound car, passing far to the left of the highway center stripe, crashed head-on into the other automobile before it was even fully on the pavement, according to highway patrolmen who were summoned.

Richey’s body is at the Keaton Mortuary where funeral plans are held in abeyance until the extent off his widow’s injuries are determined. Heintz and Spaulding are under guard of sheriff’s deputies in the hospital until improved condition permits their being taken into court.

--- --- ---
San Rafael Independent
Tuesday, December 14, 1943
Page 1

Drunk Driver Victim’s Son Captured By Japs On Wake

Charge of manslaughter was filed in San Rafael Justice Court yesterday against Chris Heintz of San Francisco following the death of Elmer Richey of Novato, Sunday night in an accident just south of that town. Bail has been set at $5000. Date for the hearing will be set when Heintz is released from the Cottage Hospital where he is under treatment for accident injuries, Judge Herbert De La Montanya said.

Mrs. Richey is still in critical condition at Cottage Hospital and arrangements for her husband’s funeral are pending at Keaton’s.

An only son of the couple, Howard Louis Richey, is a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japs, having been captured with that valiant band of Marines which made such a gallant defense of Wake Island at the outbreak of the war.

--- --- ---
San Rafael Independent
Friday, December 17, 1943
Page 1

Alleged Drunk Driver Killer To Be Out Of Hospital Saturday

Barring complications, Chris Heintz of San Francisco will be removed from the Cottage Hospital Saturday to the county jail where he will await trial for involuntary manslaughter, sheriff’s deputies reported today. Heintz has been under guard in the hospital since Sunday night following the accident near Novato in which Elmer Richey was killed and his wife seriously injured.

The condition of Mrs. Richey was reported improving rapidly and she may be released from the hospital during the next week, Dr. R. J. Weseman reported today.

Funeral services for Richey will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Keaton’s Mortuary. Interment will be in Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery.

Bryant Spaulding of Oakland, companion of Heintz, was released today on $50 bond on charge of being “drunk in an automobile.” He will remain in the hospital several days for further treatment.