Two Killed When Cars Meet Head On

Two persons were dead and five were injured, four of them critically, after a head-on crash between two automobiles yesterday at Alameda Blvd. and Artesia Ave., North Long Beach.

Homer F. Diel Jr., 40, of Maywood, driver of one car and Edward T. Murphy, 28, were pronounced dead on arrival at Harbor General Hospital, Torrance.

Critically injured was Gerald Niesing, 43. Niesing was a passenger in Diel’s car with Mary Romey, 23 and Betty Espe, 26.

Also seriously injured, were Foster Rovenor, 24 a passenger in the other car driven by Maurice Hutcherson, 31 of Los Angeles.

California Highway Patrolmen booked Hutcherson on a manslaughter charge after investigation indicated his car swerved across the double line on Alameda Blvd. while traveling at 50 m.p.h. and crashed head on into Diel’s vehicle.

The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Tuesday, July 4, 1950

Homer Franklin Diel Jr., 40, was killed in an auto collision in Los Angeles, California July 3, 1950, according to word received by friends and relatives in Noble, Tuesday.  Details of the accident are lacking.

Mr. Diel's father was cashier of the First National Bank of Noble before its closing in the late 1920's.  Mr. and Mrs. Diel and family then moved to Bakersfield, California, where they have made their home.

Homer Diel, Jr. was unmarried and is survived by his parents, Homer F. Sr. and Nettie V. (Isley) Diel.

Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Bakersfield, Calif.

Olney Advocate (IL) - July 6, 1950