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September 2, 1960 Highway Inspector
Killed on Project
J. Fred Vance Died 10 Hours After Accident J Fred Vance, 65, an inspector for the state highway department, was fatally injured while at work on a highway project, Tuesday. He resided on the Danville Pike about four miles southwest of Hillsboro on Hillsboro Rt. 5. Vance died at Oak Hill Hospital about 7:25 P.M. Tuesday. He was injured about 9:30 A. M. that day. He suffered a skull fracture when he stepped into the path of a moving stone truck. Scene of the accident was on State Route 279, about six miles west of Oak Hill, where Vance was working as inspector on a blacktopping job let by the maintenance department of the Ohio Department of Highways to a private contractor. Leonard Fenner, Division 9 maintenance chief, of Hillsboro, and a friend of Vance, investigated. He said that Vance was on foot at the project scene. Trucks were hauling in stone and other equipment was busy. Vance, as far as could be determined, stepped back to allow a power broom sweeping the road to pass by and in so doing did not notice the passing truck. The back end or bed of the truck apparently struck him and hurled him into the roadway. It was not definitely determined whether he suffered the head injury when the truck him or when he was knocked to the pavement. He never regained consciousness. He was taken to the Oak Hill Hospital immediately afterwards. He died bout 10 hours later. He had no other major injuries. He had a few body bruises and scratches. The truck is owned by the Ralph Fulk Construction Co. The state patrol also investigated. It was described as an unavoidable accident. Vance had been employed by the highway department for many years, totaling about 20 in all. He had been an inspector for the last 10 years on similar maintenance contracts. He had been considering retirement, Fenner said. He was a native of this area and was active in the Hillsboro American Legion Post and other organizations. He was a capable ball player with local teams in his younger days. He was born in Highland County on Sept 15, 1894, the son of John and Etta Vance. His mother’s maiden name was also Vance. He had resided in this area all his life. He was a veteran of World War I. He is survived by his wife Roberta Lucas Vance; two daughters Mrs. Fred Fenner, Blanchester, and Mrs. Norma Fenner, Hillsboro; one son, John R. Vance, Greenfield; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 P. M. at the Evans funeral home, with Rev Carl Ling officiating and burial following in New Market Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon, Thursday |