Death of Bert Allen Roberts

The Elwood Call-Leader, dated 2 May 1949, chronicled the horrific death of my paternal grandfather, Bert Allen Roberts.

Victims Die Near Elwood Early Sunday

Two bodies found burned to death at 3:30 o’clock Sunday morning in a wrecked semi-trailer truck 300 feet north of the P street road on state road 31 were identified today as Bert Roberts, 46. Detroit, and James F. Bollhoefer, 18, of Gas City.

The man and youth were burned to death when the truck in which they were riding crashed through a barricade in the state road, the front wheels dropping into a two and one-heir to three foot hole. The front wheels dropping into the hole allowed the trailer, loaded with shrubbery, to jackknife onto the cab of the truck. Pinning the driver and passenger inside. State Trooper Howard Bock said. It is believed that gas tanks burst and the flames from the flares around the barricade ignited the gas, Block said.

Apparently the driver Roberts, went to sleep before coming upon the barricade, Bock said. The truck had passed five or six similar barricades before crashing into the fatal hole. Bock described the torn partition of the road, as from two and one half feet deep, extending halfway across the road and about 14 to 16. feet in length. The state trooper said the flares were still burning when he reached the accident scene.

Heard Cries

Two men from Noblesville told the state trooper that they were following the truck at the time of the accident. They heard the cries of the men inside the cab to, “get us out,” but heat from the flames was too intense to attempt a rescue.

Both men were charred beyond recognition. Roberts was identified by his wife and William Bray, owner of the truck. The two come to Elwood from Detroit to make the identification.

Bollhoefer was identified after an address found in his charred billfold led police to the home of a sister in Gas City. He was identified by Harold Crage. a brother-in-law, and Eugene Bollhoefer. a brother, both of Marion. The Gas City youth was returning from Arkansas, and had apparently been hitch-hiking when picked up by Roberts, Bock said.

Call Fire Department

The Elwood fire department was called to extinguish the flames. The truck was described by Bock as a total loss, with the trailer frame and rear tires being the only parts not destroyed..

Bock and Deputy Coroner Robert Jackley investigated the accident.

Bollhoefer was born August 7, 1930 at Marion, the son of Oscar and Mary Bollhoefer. Surviving are two brothers, two sisters and the mother.     .           .

The body has been returned to the Needham funeral home in Marion, with funeral services Wednesday. Burial will be in Grant Memorial cemetery.

Roberts was born Sept. 7, 1903 in Sesor, Ill. the son of Hugh and Clora Roberts. Survivors include the widow, five children, one sister and one brother.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Jackley funeral home, Elwood, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with Rev. Robert Sage officiating. Burial will be in city cemetery.