11-Year-Old Killed in Childish Prank, Feb. 25, 1923

Boy on Way to School Killed by Automobile

Kinston, Feb. 24—The funeral of Thomas Elbert Sanderson, 11, victim of an automobile accident at Dunn school, about three miles from here, Thursday afternoon, was held yesterday afternoon from the reside4nce of the boy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Sanderson.

The boy was fatally injured when struck by a car driven by William Waters, a youth. A young woman, Waters’ sister, was in the car with him. Waters declared he was making only nominal speed. According to accounts had here, the Sanderson boy was one of a group standing by the side of the road. As the car approached another youngster playfully pushed Sanderson, who lurched before the car, was struck and hurled to the pavement, and suffered a fractured skull. Waters brought him to the Parrott Memorial hospital here, where he died some hours later.

Waters stopped the car immediately after the accident. It was stated that the victim was lying at the rear of the car, indicating that it was making slow speed. The boy’s parents formerly resided in Pamlico county.

From page 17 of the Raleigh News & Observer, Sunday, Feb. 25, 1923