Miss Leone Blackman Still Unconscious After Car Accident, March 23, 1926

Selma Girl Thrown from Car Is Still Unconscious. . . Miss Leone Blackman Received Fractured Skull Sunday When Negro Ran into Car in Which She Was Riding. . . Negro Is in Jail

Selma, March 22—Sunday evening about 7 o’clock as Mr. W.R. Smith and family, accompanied by Miss Leone Blackman, were returning from a drive on highway 22 their car was struck by one driven by Romie Hastings, colored, at the intersection of Raeford and Watson Streets. The impact was so great that Miss Blackman and Master Harold Smith were thrown from the car. Miss Blackman was picked up in an unconscious condition and with a fractured skull. The little boy had only a few cuts and bruises about the face.

Miss Blackman was rushed to her home with Drs. Vick and Person in attendance. A local nurse was called in until Miss Zelda Smith of Raleigh could be summoned. The patient has never regained consciousness and her physicians hold out little hope for her recovery, though a surgeon has been called in consultation from Raleigh.

Miss Blackman is one of Selma’s most popular young women, and the accident has caused a gloom to settle over the entire town. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are prostrated with grief, while no blame whatever is attached to them.

The negro’s car was turned over and completely demolished though he escaped almost unhurt. He is in jail awaiting a hearing.

From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Tuesday morning, March 23, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073982/1926-03-23/ed-1/seq-1/