Printed in Pilot-Tribune, June 10, 1974

SANDY RICHARDS KILLED AT 16th STREET RAIL CROSSING

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An 18 year old Blair girl, Sandy Richards, was killed Friday evening in a car-train accident that took place at the 16th street crossing of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. The car burst into flames following impact.

The accident took place at approximately 6:15 as the Richards auto was traveling south and slid in front of a west bound Chicago and Northwestern train. The 100 car train came to a stop approximately one and a half blocks west of the accident scene.

Miss Richards is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Richards of Blair. Mr. Richards has the “Richards Agency” insurance business in Blair. Sandy was a mid-term Blair High School graduate this year. She had enrolled at the University of Nebraska for the coming fall term. During the summer she was working as a telephone operator at the Blair Telephone Company.

It appeared that Miss Richards saw the train too late to stop. Tire skid marks indicated that the car slid approximately three car lengths before being hit on the driver’s side by the front of the train. The car then bounced into the electric crossing light and was then wedged between another piece of signal equipment before the car rolled free and burst into flames.

Miss Richards is survived by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Richards of Blair and brother Jeff, also of Blair. Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Roy Miesner of Florida. Funeral services will be Monday under the direction of the Bendorf Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the First Christian Church with Reverend Ray E. Phelps officiating and burial in Blair Cemetery.