Submitted by Melva Taylor
The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
October 31, 1975 - Friday, pg 2 col 8
CAROL J. WALDRON
One Killed As Car Plunges Into River Off 1st Ave. Bridge
A Tampico woman was fatally injured early this morning in a one-car accident near the southend of the 1st Avenue bridge between Sterling and Rock Falls.
Sterling police said the driver of the auto, Carol J. Waldron, 20, 108 Market St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Community General Hospital after her car went through an east bridge guard rail and plunged into the Rock River.
A passenger with her, Shirley M. Green, 18, 104 Washington St., Tampico, was treated and released at CGH. According to police reports and statements from witnesses, the Waldron auto was southbound on the bridge, traveling at approximately 30 miles an hour, when it suddenly veered into the west curb.
The auto then crossed the center line, jumped the sidewalk on the east side of the bridge, went through a guard rail and plunged into the Rock River below. Two Rock Falls police cars were the first to respond to the call and Rock Falls Police Chief Carl Sommers credited Officers Mitzi Thomas and Martin Colloton with saving the Green girl's life.
Officers Thomas and Colloton heard the Green girl calling for help from the water below the bridge, approximately 25 feet south of the vehicle. Miss Waldron remained trapped in the auto until it was raised out of the water due to the darkness and the conditions of the water, Chief Sommers said.
Officers Thomas immediately jumped into the water, with Colloton right behind her, the chief said. The two then took turns holding the girl afloat until a Rock Falls police rescue boat arrived at the scene.
In the meantime, a rope and spare tire were thrown into the water to aid in keeping the two officers and Miss Green afloat. While the two officers aided the girl, Officer Ronnie Morse of the Rock Falls Police Department and Deputy Richard Wieneke of the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department radioed for a rescue boat, and additional assistance
"This was a matter of coordinaton and cooperation, which we got, involving the Sterling and Rock Falls Police Departments and the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department," Chief Sommers said this morning.
"We all got together and were fortunate we could save one of the girls. Had it not been for those four people (named above) we would've lost both of the girls," the chief added.
Whiteside County Coroner James Grennan said this morning a jury will be sworn in and an inquest into the Waldron death scheduled for Saturday at the Allen Funeral Home in Sterling. However, Greenan said the exact time of the inquest is not known yet because he has not been able to talk with investigating police officers.
Funeral arrangements for Carol J. Waldron are complete at the Allen Funeral home, with services scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Clark Devore, pastor of the Tampico Church of Chirst, officiating. Burial will be in Tampico Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Allen Funeral Home Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
She is survived by her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Manford J. Waldron, seven sisters, three brothers, and a maternal and paternal grandmother. She was preceded in death by one sister in infancy.
The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
October 31, 1975 -o Friday, pg 6 col 1
CAROL JEAN WALDRON
Carol Waldron Dies Friday
Carol Jean Waldron, 20, of 108 Market St., Tampico, was dead on arrival at Community General Hospital, after being injured in an auto accident at the First Avenue bridge early Friday morning.
Funeral services will be held at the Allen Funeral home in Sterling on Monday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Clarke Devore, pastor of the Tampico Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Carol was born Nov. 11, 1954 in Pierre, S.D., the daughter of Manford J. and Esther Holforty Waldron. Carol graduated from Sterling Township High School in 1973. She had been employed at Micro Industries in Sterling.
She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Manford J. Waldron; seven sisters, Mrs. Karen Hames, Mrs. Richard (Vicki) McKay, Mrs. David (Cheryl) Adams and Mrs. Brent (Jackie) Adams, all of Sterling, Deann, Bobbi Jo and Cynthia all at home; three brothers, Jerry D. of Nampa, Ida., Dennis of Sterling and Wally at home; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Anna Holforty of Huron, S.D.; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Opal Waldron of Huron, S.D.
She was preceded in death by one sister in infancy.
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