Paul Byrne Condition Said ‘Poor’
Paul T. Byrne, 36, Lonaconing, remained in “poor” condition today at Miners Hospital, Frostburg, while Donald Dolan, 27, of 605 North Centre Street, was reported as “fair” at Sacred Heart Hospital with injuries sustained in the fatal accident late Saturday night near Midland.
Both men were admitted to Miners following the two-vehicle crash, however Dolan was transferred to the local hospital yesterday. Attaches at Sacred Heart said Byrne, who has multiple injuries, was expected to be transferred here sometime today.
Killed instantly in the accident were William Thomas Byrne, 28, of 120 Polk Street, and his five—year—old nephew, Michael Byrne, of Lonaconing.
Details Listed
State Police Cpl. Charles DeWitt reported this account of the highway accident:
William Byrne, owner and operator of the car, was traveling North on Route 35 from Midland toward Vale Summit.
In the process of negotiating a gradual left hand curve the vehicle left the roadway and traveled on the east shoulder (the driver’s right side) for about 250 feet at which time the driver apparently tried to swing back on the highway.
In doing so, the car crossed the road into the southbound lane of traffic and went sideways into the front of the pickup truck driven south by Dolan.
The investigation was substantiated by tire marks on the shoulder and also information furnished by several girls who witnessed the accident, Cpl. DeWitt said.
Those first to arrive on the scene said the Byrne brothers were riding in the front seat and the youngster was in the back seat.
Mr. Byrne was born in Ocean, a son of John J. Byrne, Ocean, and Mrs. Martha A. Byrne, with whom he made his home here.
He was graduated from St. Joseph’s Parochial School in Midland and from Beall High School, Frostburg, in 1950. He served in the Navy for four years.
He was employed in the service department of McIntyre’s Chevrolet Company here.
Mr. Byrne was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church here, Knobley Mountain Post 136, American Legion, Ridgeley, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Maccabees.
Surviving, besides his parents, are three other brothers, John J. Byrne Jr., city; Lawrence E. Byrne, LaVale, and Donald M. Byrne, city, and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Plummer, LaVale.
The body is at the home. A Requiem Mass will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Rev. John U. Lyness, assistant pastor, will be the celebrant and burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, with full military rites.
The Rosary will be recited at the home tomorrow at 8 p. m.
Michael Byrne is also survived by his mother, Dorothy (Keating) Byrne, of Lonaconing. He was born in Cumberland.
Also surviving are three grandparents, William Keating, Lonaconing; John Byrne, Midland, and Mrs. John Byrne, Cumberland.
The body is at the Eichhorn Funeral Home, Lonaconing, where friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lonaconing, tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., when the Mass of the Angels will be celebrated. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Source: Paul Byrne Condition Said ‘Poor’, Evening TImes, Cumberland, Maryland, 18 July 1960, pp. 9, 16.