ROSSI

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 04:58:36 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, January 4, 1923
Page 1

Child Dies When Struck By Machine

Little Inez Rossi, four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Baptiste Rossi, was almost instantly killed last Sunday morning on Villa avenue in front of the Rossi home when she was struck by an automobile driven by Ford Leeper, a taxi driver.

Leeper, who was unnerved by the tragedy, declared that is was impossible for him to avoid striking the child when she darted out in front of the car, the front wheel of which struck and knocked her to the pavement. She suffered a basal fracture of the skull, according to Dr. J. H. Kuser, who made an autopsy later at Coroner J. Ray Keaton’s office.

The child was taken to the hospital by Leeper, and upon his arrival there it was found that the little one had been dead for some time.

Although no formal charge was made against Leeper, he surrendered himself into custody and gave bail of $1000 for his appearance for any investigation that might be called. An inquest will be held by Coroner Keaton at an early date.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at St. Raphael’s church, which were attended by a large number of friends of the grief stricken father and mother, and burial was made under the direction of the F. E. Sawyer Company in Mt. Olivet cemetery.