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Accident takes life of 7-year-old
The Plain Dealer
Jun. 11, 2001
13:43
By: Lilian Carmer
Josiah Yeager, seven-year-old son of Gary and Joyce Yeager of North Vernon, died at the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital Saturday afternoon after he was struck by a car on Grayford Road (CR150S) at 3:19 p.m.
The boy was on his new bicycle in the driveway at the home of Robert and Latisha Gosman, his aunt and uncle, when he rode out on the county road in front of an oncoming car. Josiah was at the Gosman home to mark the high school graduation of his cousins.
Police report Bertha Lakes of North Vernon, westbound on Grayford in a 1996 Lincoln, was unable to avoid hitting the bicycle.
Dave Gerth, Rescue 20 director, reports his crew "did everything they could" to save the boy, who arrived at the hospital via ambulance at 3:40 and was pronounced dead.
The boy's dad and brother were on their way home from an AAU basketball game when they were received a telephone call about the accident. They proceeded immediately to the hospital, where Yeager reports many friends and relatives had already gathered.
The community response to the tragedy has been so overwhelming that the funeral will be held at the JCHS auditorium. The family's church gathers there for special services like Easter, noted Yeager, and the school's hallways were a favorite place for Josiah, who enjoyed running up and down the halls.
Major Steve Cardinal of the Jennings County Sheriff's Department investigated the crash. He was assisted by Sheriff Earl Taggart and deputies Tommy McIntosh and Wesley Herr.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Jennings County High School Auditorium with the Rev. Robert Weeks officiating. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pickett Funeral Home and at the auditorium from 10 a.m. Thursday until the service time. Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery.
Josiah enjoyed all sports, participating in basketball, baseball and soccer. He just completed first grade at North Vernon Elementary School.
Born Aug. 7, 1993, in Seymour, he was the son of Gary Allen and Joyce Smith Yeager, who survive.
Surviving with his parents are a sister, Jennifer Yeager; a brother, Joshua “Josh” Yeager; grandparents, Gerald “Jerry” Smith, and Tony and Charlene Wilder Yeager of North Vernon. Several aunts and uncles also survive.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Jacqueline V. “Jackie” Smith.
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