William Oprel

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-351386

Notes:

Preston Man Dies in Crash Of Motorbike

Witham Oprel's Machine Strikes Car Broadside; Worked in Kitchener

One man was killed and two people injured in a motorcycle-car crash on the Hespeler-Galt road early Sunday afternoon. William Oprel, King street, Preston, died almost instantly, when the motorcycle which he was driving crashed into the side of a car driven by Robert Parks of Preston at the juncture of the Swastika Beach and Hespeler-Galt roads. Clarence Edwards also of Preston who was riding tendem with Oprel, is in Galt Hospital with a fractured jaw and ribs and Joanne Parks, aged four, a passenger in the car suffered a small cut on the side of her head. Oprel's death was due to a broken neck and very severe face and head injuries.
ALMOST ACROSS
According to provincial police who investigated the crush, Oprel drove his bike into the side of the Parks machine when the latter had almost completed crossing the intersection. Parks told police that he came up to the Hespeler highway where he stopped. Seeing only one car a safe distance up the highway he advanced across. When he had almost completed the crossing his machine was hit by the motorcycle, the impact forcing the car onto the shoulder. Police reconstruction of the accident is that Oprel swung wide onto the left side of the road to pass the car Parks had seen. Apparently the cyclist was unable to straighten out in time to avoid the Parks machine and crashed into the side. Edwards was rushed to the Galt hospital where he is being treated by Dr. R. P. Slater of Hespeler. Edwards, according to hospital authorities, spent a good night. The young Parks girl received first aid treatment for her wound.
TWO CHILDREN ESCAPE
Riding with Parks was the injured girl and two other young children and Mr. and Mrs. William Parks. Only the child was injured. The motorcycle was wrecked and considerable damage was done to the ear. An inquest has been ordered by Chief Coroner Ward Woolner but no date has been set. It will likely be in two weeks after Edwards leaves hospital. Police are anxious to get in touch with any eyewitnesses and request any person who witnessed the fatality to get in touch with Dr. Ward Woolner of Ayr, chief coroner, or Motorcycle Officer E. C. Mitchener.
BORN IN TEXAS
By Record Correspondent, PRESTON, July 11---William Oprel, 24, was born in Houston, Texas and came to Preston about four years ago with his family. Prior to that time he had resided in several cities in United States. He had been employed by the Lash-Brook Shoe Co., Preston, but was working at the Galt Shoe Co., in Kitchener at the time of his death. Surviving are his parents, one sister, Ann and two brothers, Jacob and Peter, all of Preston. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon from the residence of his parents, 133 King street, Preston. Rev. J. A. Williamson of Preston will be in charge. Interment will take place In Preston Cemetery.

Kitchener Daily Record 11 Jul 1938 pg 3