From the Winona Republican-Herald dated Monday, December 6, 1948

WINONAN DEAD AFTER CAR CRASH

A Winona man was killed and his companion injured when the automobile in which they were riding crashed into a parked car on Mankato Avenue early Sunday.

Dead was Franklin Braatz, Jr., 21, 907 East Wabasha Street. He was a passenger in the car driven by Helmer Thompson, 21, Route Three, Winona. Thompson suffered minor injuries in the accident. Braatz died en route to the Winona General Hospital after he had been hurled against the windshield by the impact of the crash.

FRANKLIN BRAATZ, JR. DIES IN AMBULANCE EARLY SUNDAY

Winona recorded its fourth traffic fatality of the year early Sunday when Franklin Braatz, Jr., 21, 907 East Wabasha Street, died of injuries suffered when the automobile in which he was riding struck a parked car on Mankato Avenue.

The driver of the car, Helmer Thompson, 21, Route 3, Winona, was arrested on charges of careless driving after he had explained to police that he fell asleep while driving along Mankato Avenue and awoke after the impact. Thompson was brought to the Winona General Hospital for treatment of a head cut.

The accident occurred at about 2:50 a.m., Sunday, when the Thompson car was traveling north on Mankato Avenue. Thompson's car crashed into another vehicle parked at 472 Mankato Avenue.

HURLED FORWARD

Braatz was hurled forward by the force of the impact and his head broke through the windshield. Jagged glass from the windshield cut both jugular veins in the youth's neck. He died in an ambulance while he was being taken to the Winona General Hospital.

The scene of the accident was approximately 190 feet north of Howard Street and the car struck by Thompson's automobile was pushed 30 feet and into a driveway on Mankato Avenue.

The owner of the parked car is Walter A. Porter, 754 East Second Street, who had not reported the extent of the damages to his car to police this morning.

Damage to the Thompson car, a 1929 model, was estimated at $100.

Braatz' death marked the first traffic fatality in the city since July and brought to a close one of the costliest weeks of driving noted here this year.

Eight persons were injured in two accidents Thursday night, and after only five days in December, the month's accident toll stands only five short of of equalling this year's record of 15 injuries which resulted from traffic accidents in May.

Mr. Braatz was born May 9, 1927 in Witoka. He had lived in Winona since childhood and was employed at the Peerless Chain Company, 50 Walnut Street.

SIX BROTHERS

He is survived by six brothers, Harold, Wilmer, Earl, Charles, Clarence and Robert, all of whom reside in Winona.

Also surviving are six sisters, Mrs. Roy Rose, Mrs. Frank Kunda, Mrs. Arthur Klagge, Mrs. Arthur Dionysius, and Mrs. Eugene Czaplewski all of Winona, and Mrs. Earl Johnson, Rushford.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, of which he was a member.

The Rev. A. W. Sauer will officiate and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Fawcett-Hillyer Chapel after 7 p.m. today and the body will be at the church from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday.