Accompanied by a large number of sorrowing relatives and friend, the body of Leland Summerlin, 8-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. A.K. Summerlin, who reside on East Chestnut street and who died at a local hospital early yesterday morning as the result of injuries sustained when he was struck by an automobile driven by Mr. Fred C. Smith, when he dashed in front of the machine while playing in front of his home, was yesterday afternoon carried to Mount Olive, the former home of the family, and this afternoon at 3 o’clock the funeral service will be conducted from the home of Mr. Claude Summerlin, grandfather of the little victim.
Mr. and Mrs. Summerlin were prostrated yesterday over the tragedy which had enveloped their home and countless friends called at the home to extend condolences. It was stated Friday that Mrs. Summerlin was not at home when the accident occurred and when Mr. Smith who picked the little boy up after the accident and rushed to their apartment on the second floor of the dwelling. This, however, was incorrect. She had witnessed a part of the tragedy, and the shock was so great that members of the family residing on the first floor had taken her into their apartment where she was being given restoratives.
Coroner Thomas Robinson yesterday morning empaneled a jury composed of Messrs. M.L. Jones, C.H. Moore, C.W. Peacock, E.C. Crow, L.P. Brit and M.R. Ham to go thoroughly into the details of the accident. Witnesses were called, as was Mr. Smith, and testimony was taken. It was shown that the accident was unavoidable and occurred in spite of every effort on the part of the driver to prevent the same. In rendering their verdict, the coroner’s jury announced that Mr. Smith was absolved of all blame as, in their opinion, the tragedy could not have been averted under the circumstances.
From the front page of the Goldsboro News, Sunday morning, Feb. 28, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-02-28/ed-1/seq-7/
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