Son of Frank Joseph Mazac & Annie Hermina (Uherek) Mazac of Crosby, Harris, Texas. Brother of Annie Lou (Mazac) Robberson Vicks.
Crosby Football Squad member killed in auto accident on way home from game in 1947, in Crosby, Harris, Texas. He and his brother, James Mazac were killed.
They died in Crosby, Texas at the intersection of FM 2100 and First Street.
Late Friday night after a football game on October 31st, 1947 five Crosby High School boys were involved in a fiery automobile crash on the way home from the game. Four of them died, and the small town was overwhelmed with grief for the families. Bennie Rucka 18, James Krenek 20, James Mazac 18, and Roland Mazac 19, all died when their Model A car flipped over at the "Y" intersection of FM 2100 and First Street. Model A's had a dash mounted gas tank, that allowed gasoline to spill into the cockpit of the car when it rolled over, engulfing the car and its occupants instantly. The gas station was closed, but a 23 year old gas station attendant (Gerald Jones) slept on the premises. He heard the crash and jumped out of a screen window desperately trying to reach the youths in time. Other drivers passing by also rushed to their aid. The two Mazac boys escaped the burning car and tried to run, but collapsed nearby. Their clothes were soaked in gasoline, and they became human torches with flames shooting from their clothing. Rescuers worked frantically to strip the burning clothes off their bodies and threw buckets of water on the pair. Meanwhile, others pulled the two Rucka's boys out of the window of the raging inferno, their clothes also covered in flames. Rescuers worked feverishly to douse the flames. It was too late for Bennie, but his younger brother Rudolph 17, was saved. However, he was also severely burned. The fifth youth, Jimmy Krenek was trapped in the car and was burned alive. Rescuers worked frantically to free him, while his screams of agony pierced the tragic moment. Gerald Jones received burns on both hands and his body was covered in numerous cuts and bruises as were others in their rescue attempts. The accident was surreal in so many ways. Five young boys celebrating a game, four of which were on the team. The younger brother of the Rucka boys would later end up playing in the NFL. Last Rites for the four were conducted simultaneously at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All of the Crosby schools, and all of the town's businesses were closed on Monday, November the 3rd, as the four funerals filled the sanctuary beyond capacity. The entire community mourned the dramatic deaths of the four young souls, and newspapers across the country ran the tragic story. Contributor: Debra Fuchs (47896802) • [email protected], 21 May 2020
Crosby Football Squad member killed in auto accident on way home from game in 1947, in Crosby, Harris, Texas. He and his brother, James Mazac were killed.
They died in Crosby, Texas at the intersection of FM 2100 and First Street.
Late Friday night after a football game on October 31st, 1947 five Crosby High School boys were involved in a fiery automobile crash on the way home from the game. Four of them died, and the small town was overwhelmed with grief for the families. Bennie Rucka 18, James Krenek 20, James Mazac 18, and Roland Mazac 19, all died when their Model A car flipped over at the "Y" intersection of FM 2100 and First Street. Model A's had a dash mounted gas tank, that allowed gasoline to spill into the cockpit of the car when it rolled over, engulfing the car and its occupants instantly. The gas station was closed, but a 23 year old gas station attendant (Gerald Jones) slept on the premises. He heard the crash and jumped out of a screen window desperately trying to reach the youths in time. Other drivers passing by also rushed to their aid. The two Mazac boys escaped the burning car and tried to run, but collapsed nearby. Their clothes were soaked in gasoline, and they became human torches with flames shooting from their clothing. Rescuers worked frantically to strip the burning clothes off their bodies and threw buckets of water on the pair. Meanwhile, others pulled the two Rucka's boys out of the window of the raging inferno, their clothes also covered in flames. Rescuers worked feverishly to douse the flames. It was too late for Bennie, but his younger brother Rudolph 17, was saved. However, he was also severely burned. The fifth youth, Jimmy Krenek was trapped in the car and was burned alive. Rescuers worked frantically to free him, while his screams of agony pierced the tragic moment. Gerald Jones received burns on both hands and his body was covered in numerous cuts and bruises as were others in their rescue attempts. The accident was surreal in so many ways. Five young boys celebrating a game, four of which were on the team. The younger brother of the Rucka boys would later end up playing in the NFL. Last Rites for the four were conducted simultaneously at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All of the Crosby schools, and all of the town's businesses were closed on Monday, November the 3rd, as the four funerals filled the sanctuary beyond capacity. The entire community mourned the dramatic deaths of the four young souls, and newspapers across the country ran the tragic story. Contributor: Debra Fuchs (47896802) • [email protected], 21 May 2020
Son of Frank Joseph Mazac & Annie Hermina (Uherek) Mazac of Crosby, Harris, Texas. Brother of Annie Lou (Mazac) Robberson Vicks.
Crosby Football Squad member killed in auto accident on way home from game in 1947, in Crosby, Harris, Texas. He and his brother, James Mazac were killed.
They died in Crosby, Texas at the intersection of FM 2100 and First Street.
Late Friday night after a football game on October 31st, 1947 five Crosby High School boys were involved in a fiery automobile crash on the way home from the game. Four of them died, and the small town was overwhelmed with grief for the families. Bennie Rucka 18, James Krenek 20, James Mazac 18, and Roland Mazac 19, all died when their Model A car flipped over at the "Y" intersection of FM 2100 and First Street. Model A's had a dash mounted gas tank, that allowed gasoline to spill into the cockpit of the car when it rolled over, engulfing the car and its occupants instantly. The gas station was closed, but a 23 year old gas station attendant (Gerald Jones) slept on the premises. He heard the crash and jumped out of a screen window desperately trying to reach the youths in time. Other drivers passing by also rushed to their aid. The two Mazac boys escaped the burning car and tried to run, but collapsed nearby. Their clothes were soaked in gasoline, and they became human torches with flames shooting from their clothing. Rescuers worked frantically to strip the burning clothes off their bodies and threw buckets of water on the pair. Meanwhile, others pulled the two Rucka's boys out of the window of the raging inferno, their clothes also covered in flames. Rescuers worked feverishly to douse the flames. It was too late for Bennie, but his younger brother Rudolph 17, was saved. However, he was also severely burned. The fifth youth, Jimmy Krenek was trapped in the car and was burned alive. Rescuers worked frantically to free him, while his screams of agony pierced the tragic moment. Gerald Jones received burns on both hands and his body was covered in numerous cuts and bruises as were others in their rescue attempts. The accident was surreal in so many ways. Five young boys celebrating a game, four of which were on the team. The younger brother of the Rucka boys would later end up playing in the NFL. Last Rites for the four were conducted simultaneously at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All of the Crosby schools, and all of the town's businesses were closed on Monday, November the 3rd, as the four funerals filled the sanctuary beyond capacity. The entire community mourned the dramatic deaths of the four young souls, and newspapers across the country ran the tragic story. Contributor: Debra Fuchs (47896802) • [email protected], 21 May 2020
Crosby Football Squad member killed in auto accident on way home from game in 1947, in Crosby, Harris, Texas. He and his brother, James Mazac were killed.
They died in Crosby, Texas at the intersection of FM 2100 and First Street.
Late Friday night after a football game on October 31st, 1947 five Crosby High School boys were involved in a fiery automobile crash on the way home from the game. Four of them died, and the small town was overwhelmed with grief for the families. Bennie Rucka 18, James Krenek 20, James Mazac 18, and Roland Mazac 19, all died when their Model A car flipped over at the "Y" intersection of FM 2100 and First Street. Model A's had a dash mounted gas tank, that allowed gasoline to spill into the cockpit of the car when it rolled over, engulfing the car and its occupants instantly. The gas station was closed, but a 23 year old gas station attendant (Gerald Jones) slept on the premises. He heard the crash and jumped out of a screen window desperately trying to reach the youths in time. Other drivers passing by also rushed to their aid. The two Mazac boys escaped the burning car and tried to run, but collapsed nearby. Their clothes were soaked in gasoline, and they became human torches with flames shooting from their clothing. Rescuers worked frantically to strip the burning clothes off their bodies and threw buckets of water on the pair. Meanwhile, others pulled the two Rucka's boys out of the window of the raging inferno, their clothes also covered in flames. Rescuers worked feverishly to douse the flames. It was too late for Bennie, but his younger brother Rudolph 17, was saved. However, he was also severely burned. The fifth youth, Jimmy Krenek was trapped in the car and was burned alive. Rescuers worked frantically to free him, while his screams of agony pierced the tragic moment. Gerald Jones received burns on both hands and his body was covered in numerous cuts and bruises as were others in their rescue attempts. The accident was surreal in so many ways. Five young boys celebrating a game, four of which were on the team. The younger brother of the Rucka boys would later end up playing in the NFL. Last Rites for the four were conducted simultaneously at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All of the Crosby schools, and all of the town's businesses were closed on Monday, November the 3rd, as the four funerals filled the sanctuary beyond capacity. The entire community mourned the dramatic deaths of the four young souls, and newspapers across the country ran the tragic story. Contributor: Debra Fuchs (47896802) • [email protected], 21 May 2020
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