Richard McCrea

MCCREA, GLENN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/27/2021 at 07:31:53

25 May 1967 - The Tipton Conservative

Richard D. McCrea, 29, Stanwood, was one of 3 persons instantly killed in a 2-car crash on Interstate 80 near Walcott in Scott county about 9 p.m. May 22.

The others who died in the crash were Army S/4C Jeffrey A. Claborn, 20 and his mother, Mrs. M. Margaret Claborn, 52, both of Evanston, Ill.

Davenport newspapers gave the following account of the accident:

Investigating officers indicated the cars were driven by McCrea and Jeffrey Claborn, who was due to report to base at Seattle, Wash., for embarkation for Vietnam.

Authorities reported the McCrea car was eastbound on the westbound lane of the highway.

The 2 cars collided at a point three miles west of Walcott.

Scott county deputy sheriff's called to the scene made a quick search of the area when they got a report that a baby was seen in one of the cars, but the report was apparently erroneous.

Officers determined the 2 cars had only 3 occupants.

Deputies said the accident was witnessed by Dale Walker, 850 College Ave., Davenport, and Paul John Widemann, St. Charles.

Witnesses told deputies McCrea was driving east on Interstate 80 in the east bound lane and without warning made a complete U turn in the lane to head in the opposite direction.

Motorists spotting the auto headed in the wrong lane started honking their horns and blinking their lights in attempt to alert the motorist.

But witnesses reported that McCrea proceeded for about five miles in the wrong lane. The Claborn auto was attempting to pass a semi-trailer truck and met the McCrea auto headon, according to witnesses.

Funeral services for McCrea will be held at 1:30 today (May 25) at the Chapman funeral home in Clarence with burial in the Olin cemetery.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn McCrea, Stanwood, he was a graduate of Stanwood high school. He was born in Stanwood and worked as a day laborer.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Robert (Donna) Glenn, Olin, and a brother, Darrel, Wyoming.