The following is adapted from a report found (in February, 2012) in the Huntingdon Daily News, linked here. Edits required by apparent errors and omissions in the online text have been added in yellow type. This report was added after a question was raised about the traffic light that formerly had been at the intersection of old Routes 22 and 219. The only previous report the Home Page had received on this historic local tragedy was a memoir by David Caldwell when he was blogging here. Additional
information or corrections for this page are welcome.

This page added February 7, 2012

Valedictorian of high school class is killed

Johnstown, May 25 [1957]

George Sowolla, 17, was killed in an automobile accident early Friday a few hours after he delivered the valedictory at the Nanty Glo-Vintondale High School commencement. A companion was injured seriously. State police said Sowolla, driving his father's automobile, apparently [went] through a blinking red light at the intersection of Rt. 219 and William Penn Highway and rammed the rear of a tractor trailer.

Officers said the car struck the rig with such force that it pushed under the larger vehicle and its top was sheared off. Marvin Malcotti, 17, the victim's classmate, was taken to Johnstown Memorial Hospital in serious condition with possible fractures of the skull and shoulder. The youths were returning from a chaperoned class party when the accident occurred at Mundys Corner, scene of several other serious traffic mishaps.

It was the second fatal accident involving a recent high school graduate this week. Catherine Anne Flick, 18, who received her high school diploma Tuesday night, was killed the following evening.

Additional memories and memorabilia (clippings, photographs) on this tragic event are
solicited by the Home Page for addition to our community's permanent historical record

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