RILEY, Don M.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona August 6, 1970, page 11 Don M. Riley, age 62, of Sun City, Arizona, suffered fatal injuries in a spectacular 3-vehicle accident at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday directly in front of the Watkins Chevrolet Agency on the Phoenix Highway. The vehicles involved were, left above, a ford van; a late model Pontiac, center, and a tractor-trailer combination, right. Investigating Wickenburg police report that Mr. Riley, riding in the van, had pulled off to the side of the road, had gotten out of his van and gone back to talk with his son Bruce G. Riley, age 23, driving the Pontiac and who had pulled off the road behind his father. The younger Riley had his wife Kathleen, 24, and their 9-months old daughter as passengers in his car. Just as the father reached his son’s car the truck, owned by the E. J. Dickie Trucking Co., Hillside, driven by Daryl Z. Ballew, 34, of Skull Valley, and headed west, came around the curve, struck the Pontiac in the rear which in turn sent it up the side of the nearby small hill, then back across the highway where it struck a Thunderbird on the Watkins used car lot inflicting minor damage. The tractor and trailer jackknifed across the highway. Police say it is possible the truck struck Mr. Riley. Ballew and the younger Riley received only minor injuries; Mrs. Riley and the baby were not hurt. The injured man was taken to Community Hospital where he died shortly after arrival. Police cited the truck driver for failure to use due care. Because one of the vehicles lost its gas tank in the accident, the fire department was called which washed down the spilled fuel. Police estimated the Pontiac and tractor as a total loss, each, and the van seriously damaged.