James Edward Van Roden was just 19 years old when he was killed in an auto accident on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend 1971. I believe the date was the 28th March 1971 (correct me if I’m wrong). The car driven by Danny Green slammed into a large tree near Ridley Creek on Barren Road. Jimmy, who was one of my best friends from 10th through 12th grade, was riding in the back seat and thrust forward upon impact, the gear shifter piercing his chest.
One of our classmates (I won’t name her here to protect her privacy) had a pretty serious relationship with Jimmy that had broken off and another classmate (anonymous again) told me she had been asked by Jimmy to go out with him that Friday night, but felt it was too soon after his breakup and politely postponed.
To this day I still feel my biggest social faux pas was not driving home from Penn State for his funeral, which was the following Tuesday as I recall (1st June). I actually did have a final test in a math course and I was too scared to ask the professor to give me a rain check. My “bad”. I visited his grave a few years later to pay my respects. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. (rickturner 1/17/19)

Patty Kersey I worked at Riddle when Jimmy and Pete came in the ER. We were not allowed to tell Pete that Jimmy died for many days as Pete was in pretty bad shape himself. I was told that he was driving and the docs were concerned he wouldn't handle the guilt. Another way too young gone!