Paoli (IN) Republican

July 25, 1967, from the obituary collection of Wilma Davis, Paoli, Indiana.

An 11-year-old Orange County boy riding with his 14-year-old brother on a Honda on a country highway Thursday afternoon became the county's first cycle fatality. Albert Junior Albertson died instantly of a crushed skull. It was the second highway fatality in the county in 1967.

The victim and his brother, Anthony Dean, were traveling south in the vicinity of their home near Leipsic when the accident occurred about 5 PM. Anthony sustained bruises.

According to Sheriff Farrell Fields, who investigated the scene, the cycle left the county highway on the right and traveled 150 feet in a ditch paralleling the road before striking a culvert. The younger brother was thrown from the cycle striking his head against the concrete abutment. The driver clung to the controls and the cycle continued 10 feet father. An Orleans veterinarian came upon the scene within a few seconds and found the youth wandering in a field.

Police were unable to find evidence to substantiate the youth's story that two cars were drag racing and forced him from the highway.

Funeral services for the victim were held Sunday at Ochs Funeral Home. Burial was in Freedom Cemetery.

Survivors include parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Albertson, Jr., a sister Venta Kay, two brothers, Allen Dwane and Anthony Dean, a stepbrother, Bennie McDermed [sic] of Bedford, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Allen Albertson, Orleans, and step grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Terrell, Bedford.

Typed and donated by Randi Richardson.