Submitted by: Georgia Gill-Elkins

South Bend Tribune July 30, 1926

MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL AFTER AUTO ACCIDENT

Albert Donati Succumbs To Internal Injuries

PINNED BENEATH CAR

Attempted to Make Turn on Miami Road, South of City, at High Speed--Machine Kids and Turns Over.

   Internal injuries received when he was pinned beneath his roadster, Wednesday night, when it turned over on a curve on the Miami road, south of South Bend, resulted in the death of Albert Donati, age, 32, of 405 W. 10th Street, Mishawaka, in St. Joseph's Hospital there shortly before 11 o'clock this morning.

   After being taken to the hospital Mr. Donati's condition was considered critical and it was only occasionally that he showed signs of consciousness. While he did not sustain skull fractures his internal injuries were extensive.

   The accident in which Mr. Donati was injuries occurred at the southern end of the Miami road, at the curve to the right, which leads into Lakeville, this county. It is understood that Mr. Donati and several companions were  driving south  and apparently failed to notice the curve until to late to slacken their speed and in negotiating the turn the car skidded on the pavement which was wet from a fresh rain and turned over. It is believed that Mr. Donati was driving.

   It has been reported that companions of the victim were two men. Another report has it that he was accompanied by one man and two women, all on their way to a dance at Riddle's lake, near Lakeville. However, it is certain that there was no one else injured in the accident . When Mr. Donati  was brought to the hospital he was accompanied by a man who did not give his name.

     Mr. Donati made his home with Mr. and Mrs. John Canacci at the Mishawaka address and was employed in a factory there. He had lived in Mishawaka four years, coming from Italy where he had lived for two years.

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FUNERAL SERVICE HELD FOR DONATI

NINETY FOUR AUTOMOBILES TAKE PART IN PROCESSION

Nephew, Frank Ermeti, is Given Permanent Parole by Gov.. Ed Jackson to Attend.

   Ninety-four automobiles lined the streets in the vicinity of St. Bavo's Roman Catholic church and participated in the parade to St. Joseph's cemetery Sunday afternoon during funeral services for Albert Donati, who died in St. Joseph's hospital last Friday morning as the result of an accident near Lakeville, this county, Wednesday night. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the west side.

     Mr. Donati was very well known among the Italian population of the city although his only relative in this country was Frank Ermeti, a nephew, who was given  a permanent parole from the penal farm by Gov. Ed Jackson to attend Donati's funeral.  His sentence was to expire in two or three weeks, it is said.

   Rev. Achille Schockaert officiated at the service in St. Bavo's church at 2:30 o'clock. The body lay in the Liberty club, in the west side Saturday and Sunday and was viewed by many friends. Mr. Donati leaves a mother, Mrs. Theresa Donati, and fur sisters and one brother, all in Italy. He had planned to visit them next spring, friends said.

   He came to this country in 1912 from Italy. He was born there April 28, 1893.