Caught under the wheels of an automobile moving at 40 miles an hour past the home of his grandfather on the Central Highway 12 miles east of the city, little James Bunch, 5-year-old son of J.t. Bunch, was thrown 50 feet along the pavement, receiving injuries from which he may die. The automobile did not check its speed.
Another and heavier car traveling a little distance behind the one that struck the lad immediately gave chase and after pursuing the ?? Ford for two miles got the license number as 13-242. The records of the Motor Bureau here give S.A. Jackson of Salemburg, Sampson county, as the owner of the car.
The accident was witnessed by the entire family of the child. He was immediately rushed to Clayton, four miles away, and later brought to Rex hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries could not be determined last night. He is still unconscious and is not expected to live.
According to W.C. Bundy, a prominent farmer in the eastern section of the county, and grandfather of the child, the lad was playing with a rubber ball in the yard when it rolled across the pavement. Mr. Bundy called to the boy to stand still until a car had passed. Then he started across the road, and the Ford suddenly appeared, traveling at a tremendous speed.
At the instant the boy had just reached the dirt again when the Ford swerved off the pavement, caught him at the shoulder and threw him back into the road. The axle of the car rolled up him, turning him over and over within sight of his agonized relatives. The car behind the Ford stopped with such suddenness that its engine was choked down.
The motor was instantly started and the driver of the car, a Buick, gave chase to the Ford. R. Bund will ask the county authorities to take action in the matter today. The father of the child lives in Johnston county near Clayton, away from the paved road and was not impressed with the danger of the dense traffic that travels the Central Highway.
From the News and Observer, as reprinted on the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Dec. 11, 1923
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