Times-Democrat, Monday, September 23, 1974

Expect Ruling on Death Cause

            Authorities were expected to rule later today on whether the death Sunday of Victoria Sue Skinner was caused by an Aug. 9 traffic accident or subsequent surgery related to injuries she suffered in the accident.

            Miss Skinner, 21, of R.R. 1, Walcott, who was injured in a one-car accident at the Walcott interchange of Interstate 80 [on Aug. 9, 1973], died Sunday [Sept. 22, 1973] at Osteopathic Hospital, Davenport.

            An autopsy was conducted Sunday, and the cause of death was being listed today as “chest congestion, which was probably a result of surgery and complications of surgery,” according to Dr. R.M. Perkins, Scott County medical examiner.

            Perkins said the investigation into Miss Skinner’s death was closed.

            Perkins referred further questions to Dr. C.M. Updegraff, who assisted at the autopsy.

            Updegraff said Miss Skinner was taken to Mercy Hospital, Davenport, immediately after the traffic accident and underwent surgery at the hospital. Dr. Updegraff could not pinpoint the date of Miss Skinner’s release from Mercy Hospital, but did verify that she had been sent home.

            Spokesmen for Mercy Hospital declined to release information concerning Miss Skinner’s hospital record, saying the information was “confidential.”

            Updegraff also said Miss Skinner was taken back to Mercy Hospital “late Saturday or early Sunday for inhalation therapy.” [Sept. 21 or 22]

            She was released from Mercy again after the apparently successful completion of the therapy, but was rushed back to Osteopathic Hospital later Sunday where she died, Updegraff said.

            Officials today said Miss Skinner was apparently taken to Osteopathic Hospital because it was nearer her home than Mercy Hospital.

            Lt. Ted Godfrey, commander of the District 12 office of the Iowa Highway Patrol in Davenport, said he expected to receive a copy of the autopsy results later today.

            “If they (the medical examiners) find any kind of relationship between the accident and her death, the death will be a traffic fatality,” Godfrey said.

            Updegraff cited a problem of “semantics” in discussing Miss Skinner’s death. He said it would be difficult not to call the young woman’s death a traffic fatality since she would not have undergone surgery had the accident not occurred.

            Updegraff said Miss Skinner suffered a “massive injury to the chest at the time of the accident.”

            She suffered a “contusion of the lung,” which caused blood to escape into the lung tissue increasing the chances of infection, he added.

            According to the Scott County sheriff’s office, Miss Skinner was westbound on I-80 when her car left the interstate, traveled about 366 feet in the median strip, struck a culvert, flipped over and traveled an additional 81 feet on the roof of the auto.

            The car reportedly came to rest on the median strip with Miss Skinner pinned beneath it, the sheriff’s department said.

            Authorities said today that reports of the incident had no reason for Miss Skinner’s automobile leaving the roadway.

            Services for Miss Skinner will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Runge Chapel. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park.

            Visitation is after 3 p.m. today at the mortuary.

            Miss Skinner was employed at Satin Glass Co., Davenport.

            She was born in Davenport on Sept. 22, 1953.

            Miss Skinner is survived by her mother and stepfather, Mrs. and Mrs. Leroy E. Ralfs with whom she resided, her father and stepmother Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Skinner, Littleton, Colo., a brother Chris, Davenport, a half-brother, David, Littleton, and stepbrothers Richard and Daniel Ralfs, both of Walcott, and grandparents Mrs. and Mrs. Archie Pettyjohn, West Plains, Mo.

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Times-Democrat, September 24, 1974

Death Case is Closed

            The death Sunday [Sept. 22] of Victoria Sue Skinner, 21, of rural Walcott, will be listed as a traffic fatality related to injuries she suffered in an August 9 auto accident, officials said Monday.

            Miss Skinner, who was injured in a one-car accident at the Walcott interchange of Interstate 80 [on Aug. 9], died Sunday at Osteopathic Hospital, Davenport.

            Based on autopsy reports released Monday, Lt. Ted Godfrey, commander of Iowa Highway Patrol post 12 in Davenport, said he considered the death a direct result of the mishap.

            Dr. A.D. Savage, who said he was on duty in Osteopathic’s emergency room Sunday, said Miss Skinner was dead on arrival there.

            Attempts to resuscitate her were futile, he said.

            Officials had indicated Monday that Miss Skinner may have died some time after being taken to Osteopathic.