DRISH, Thomas 1905 - 1975

DRISH, PECK, MELINSKI

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:49

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, March 3, 1975
Page 1, Columns 6, 7 & 8

Driver Charged In Fatal Pleasant Plain Accident

Brian Christopher Matson, 19-year old Jefferson County youth, today was charged with failure to stop at a personal injury accident resulting in the death of Thomas DRISH, 70, Saturday night.

The charge was filed this morning by Assistant Jefferson County Attorney John A. Morrissey. The charge as filed alleges that Matson was the operator of a vehicle that struck DRISH while he was walking in the roadway near his home about 2½ mile south of Pleasant Plain.

The county attorney's information charges Matson with failure to stop and remain at the scene of the accident.

DRISH was killed about 10 p.m. Saturday. The search for the driver of the car involved in the accident came to an abrupt end Sunday evening when Matson confessed to county officers voluntarily.

County officers said Matson's action following the accident appeared to be a matter of fear, confusion and not knowing what to do in such a serious situation.

The confession and solution of the case came after an intensive investigation which had been taking place under the direction of Bill R. Angstead, county sheriff.

He was assisted by agents from the Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation, State Troopers, County Attorney's Office and the County Medical Examiner. Officers spent all day conducting the investigation.

Dr. C. F. Watson, county medical examiner, ruled DRISH died as the result of being hit by a moving vehicle near his home.

During the investigation it was learned DRISH had been to East Pleasant Plain and was let out near his home after getting a ride in a pickup truck with a friend.

Officers said skid marks on the paving showed the driver of the vehicle started toward the ditch in an apparent attempt to avoid hitting the pedestrian. Following the impact there were skid marks on the paving until the vehicle stopped.

Officers said Jim Peterson, 301 W. Kirkwood, Fairfield was the first to notice the body. He reported the fatality to the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Center at 10:27 p.m. and the investigation began immediately.

Last Rites

Last rites will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain with Rev. Louis Leonhardt officiating. Burial will be in the Polishville Cemetery. The rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., at the Gould Funeral Home in Brighton.

DRISH was born March 2, 1905 in Jefferson County, the son of John and Elizabeth PECK DRISH.

A farmer, he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at East Pleasant Plain.

He is survived by two brothers, McCoy DRISH of Corunna, Mich., and James of Pleasant Plain, with whom he made his home; one sister Mrs. Lucy MELINSKI of South Bend, Ind.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.