1958 Fatal Auto Accident

AUTOS CRASH, KILL 6, INJURE 3 IDAHOANS

Salmon, Idaho, March 30 -- A Sunday drive for elderly patients of a Salmon convalescent home turned into tragedy when six persons were killed and three critically injured in a grinding head-on collision eight miles north of here on U.S. Highway 93.

The dead included WILLIAM SILBAUGH, 74, operator of Silbaugh's Convalescent Home, and three of his patients. A Salmon woman and her 12-year-old son were killed in the other car. The dead in addition to MR. SILBAUGH were identified as: GERTRUDE COCKRELL, 72, ALICE KIRTLEY, 70, JOSEPH TROWBRIDGE, 70, all patients at the nursing home. MRS. CECELIA WALCHLI, 31, and her son RAYMOND, 12.

The injured were listed as:

FLORA CASSELL, 65, a passenger in the Silbaugh auto, head injuries and fractures of both arms and legs.
VICKIE LYNN WALCHLI, 6, daughter of MRS. WALCHLI, multiple fractures of the left arm.
Her brother KIRK, 4, brain concussion and facial lacerations.

The injured were taken to Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon, where their conditions were listed as "critical." Idaho State Patrol Trooper Jim Perkins said the accident occurred at 2:40 p.m. He said evidence showed one of the cars was on the wrong side of the highway. An inquest will be conducted by Lemhi County Coroner Delbert Jones, probably Tuesday or Wednesday, the trooper said.

Mr. SILBAUGH was operating the southbound auto, apparently taking some of his patients out for a Sunday drive, the officer said. MRS. WALCHLI was the driver of the northbound vehicle.
Trooper Perkins said the SILBAUGH car, a 1955 sedan, proceeded south on U.S. 93 after the impact for 45 feet and came to rest on its top on the west side of the highway. The WALCHLI auto, a 1951 sedan, was knocked backward 15 feet from point of impact and came to rest on the east shoulder. Both autos were demolished.

Trooper Perkins said there was a slight curve at the point of collision.

When officers arrived, five injured had expired, and MRS. WALCHLI died before she could be removed from her car.

The dead and injured were removed to Salmon by the Jones Funeral Home ambulances. Lemhi County Sheriff's Deputy Cliff Helpher assisted in the investigation. MRS. WALCHLI was the wife of Sherman Walchli, of Salmon.

Contributed 21 Feb 2010 by Stu Beitler
Source: Salt Lake City Tribune, Utah, 1958 Mar 31