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The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 27, 1952, page 1

TROUTLAKE FATHER AND SON DIE IN CRASH WITH TRUCK -- THREE OTHERS IN HOSPITAL

Scores of curious spectators Tuesday and Wednesday viewed the charred hulk of a new Mercury car parked on a side street near Hunsaker's garage where the wrecker had left it. In the rear seat was a fire blackened Thanksgiving turkey.

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Soon after darkness fell last Monday evening, fiery death snuffed out the lives of the car owner, Carl Peterson, 44, and his 21-year-old son, Wesley, half a mile south of BZ Corners.
In the Hood River hospital are three other victims of the head on crash with a lumber truck parked halfway across the highway while its driver, Bryan Knapp loaded a tractor from the east embankment. The truck was owned by Willis Gross, Husum logger.
Tuesday afternoon Portland relatives of Mrs. Carl Peterson reported the victims doing well. Mrs. Carl Peterson, 40, suffered internal injuries and required 38 stitches to close multiple head wounds. Lynne Peterson, 2__ suffered a broken right arm and possible internal injuries. The other passenger, Mrs. Christ Elmer, 39, sustained shock and bruises. All casualties are residents of Troutlake.

WITNESS

Geo. T. Carr, White Salmon rancher, was the nearest witness to accident. According to police, Carr was driving north in the same direction as the Petersons. With a burst of speed estimated at between 60 and 65 mph, the Peterson car driven by Wesley passed Carr's vehicle.
It barely had time to straighten out in the east traffic lane before Carr heard the fatal crash. Police report the Carr saw no signal flares to warn of the danger, but skid marks 165 feet long indicate young Peterson had a moments forewarning. The Peterson car struck the gas tank of the lumber truck parked crosswise to the road with its rear wheels in the ditch and its front wheel extending 2½' over the center line, according to T.W. Mitchell, Klickitat county coroner at the scene of the accident.

RESCUE

The Gross truck was knocked 9½ feet sideways. Both vehicles were locked together by the impact and burst into flames from igniting gasoline. Quick work by spectators, including Carr and Ted Abken, helped rescue the women.
James Keefauver and Bill Jacobson, truck and tractor drivers, are given credit for separating the burning vehicles and by literally pulling the Mercury apart with a tractor, were able to remove Carl Peterson and his expired son from the fiery furnace where they were pinned. Mr. Peterson died soon after arriving at the Hood River hospital where he was taken by the W.S. disaster car.
Mrs. Peterson and Lynne were taken first to Skyline and then to Hood River by the Bingen police car. Gardner's Ambulance, out on another mission, when summoned to the accident, arrived in time to transport Mrs. Elmer to Hood River.
Mrs. Elmer is a sister to Mrs. Peterson who has three other children not involved in the accident, Bernice, a student at WSC, Carol Jean in high school and Wayne in grade school.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., December 4, 1952, page 9

DOUBLE FUNERAL HELD FOR TROUTLAKERS

Carl H. Peterson was born May 14, 1908 in Trout Lake, Washington, the son of Charles and Minnie Peterson. Most of his schooling was in Portland then he came back to Trout Lake and settled on the ranch.
He was united in marriage with Evelyn Ruth Marshall on July 28, 1930. To this union were born the following children; three daughters, Bernice, age 19 yrs, Carol, age 16 years, and Lynn age 8 years. Two sons Wesley, age 21, and Wayne age 13 yrs.
Also surviving besides his wife Evelyn and children are his mother, Mrs. Minnie Norby Peterson; two brothers, Sanford of Portland, Ore., and Wallace of White Salmon, Wash., Five sisters; Heddrick Leighton of Portland; Hulda Lamb of Portland; Lena Wilks of California; Minnie of Portland and Amanda Cozad of Portland, Oregon.
Wesley Dwight Peterson was born May 9th, 1931 in Trout Lake, Washington.
Pall Bearers for Carl Peterson were Albert Elmer, Lloyd Beeks, George Carr, Tom Bradshaw, Spencer Fry, and Dick Tcherge.
Pall Bearers for Wesley Peterson were Jerry Bertchi, Ted Sauter, Tommy Zimmerman, Donald Brashiers, Ford Bradshaw, and Doyle Bradshaw.

The Columbian, Vancouver, WA., November 25, 1952, page 3

FATHER, SON DIE IN CRASH

BINGEN, WASH. (AP) -- Two Trout Lake, Wash., men were killed and three persons injured Monday in the collision of a logging truck and a automobile on the highway north of here.
The dead were Carl Peterson, 44, and his son Wesley, 21.
Klickitat County Coroner T.D. Mitchell said Wesley, driver of the car, was instantly killed in the crash. The auto caught fire after the collision and the father was trapped in the wreckage.
Injured were Mrs. Carl Peterson, 40, daughter, Lynn, 8, and Mrs. Crist Elmer. They were taken to a hospital at Hood River, Ore.