TWO TEENAGERS DIE IN COLLISION

Two Mt. Vernon youths were killed and two others injured shortly after midnight Thursday as a result of a two-car, head-on collision on the Tolle Road, about three-quarters of a mile north of old Route 15.

Killed were Ricky O'Bryant, 15, 1305 N. 17th St., the driver of one car, and Ronald Ervan Chambliss, 18, 2610 Main St., a passenger in the car. Both were pronounced dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital. Admitted to the hospital were Mark Rubenacker, 20, 401 Spruce Drive, the driver of the other car, listed in serious condition this morning, and Janet Hall, 16, 800 Harrison St., a passenger in his car, listed in satisfactory condition this morning.

Thirteen members of the Jefferson Fire Protection District rescue unit freed three of the accident victims trapped in the cars by cutting open one vehicle and forcing the doors off the other.The victims were rushed to the hospital by Litton's ambulance.

Funeral services for Ronald "Ronnie" Ervan Chambliss Jr. will be held at 1:30 pm Sunday at Myers Chapel, with the Rev. Everett Lemay officiating. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery. Friends may call at Myers Chapel after 6 pm Saturday.

He was a freshman at Rend Lake College.

Survivors include his parents, two sisters, Sue Ann Chambliss, at home, and Mrs. Jo Carol Donoho, of Mt. Vernon; and his grandparents, Mrs. Etta Chambliss, of Texico, and Mrs. Lela McKowen, of Mt. Vernon.

Source:
Date: September 20, 1973
Submitted by: Ken Richardson