Speeding to Satisfy a Debutante's Whim, Detroit Autoist Runs Down Five, Kills One

Speeding to Satisfy a Debutante's Whim, Detroit Autoist Runs Down Five, Kills One

Publication: The New York Times
Date: 28 December 1924

Special to The New York Times.

DETROIT, Dec. 27.—Speeding home to change from a dinner coat to evening clothes because a society débutante desired a more formal attire at her ball, Arthur M. Kugeman of the Alden Park Manor last night drove his car into a family attempting to reach a safety zone at St. Aubin and Jefferson Avenues, killing the father and seriously injuring the mother and two of their three children.

William Hind, 35 years old, 1,209 Lemay Avenue, died in the Evangelical Deaconness Hospital soon after the accident. His wife, Harriet, 33, and his sons, James P. and William Jr., 3 years old, are in the Receiving Hospital. Mrs. Hind suffered a concussion of the brain, and may not live. A third son, Robert, 8 years old, was hurled to the pavement, but was not hurt.

Kugeman, who came to Detroit a year ago last September from New York and rapidly became popular among the younger set in Detroit society, was a guest at a dinner given by Miss Frances Alger at a hotel. He also was to have been a guest at a ball given later in honor of Miss Julia Buhl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Buhl.

Miss Buhl, according to those at the dinner, laughingly chided Kugeman because he was not in evening dress for her dance, which was to follow. Kugeman said he would go home and change. He set out for his home in a car which he had borrowed from Harold Boyer, also of the Alden Park Manor.

As he reached St. Aubin Avenue the Hind family, on their way home after visiting Mr. Hind's sister, Mrs. Agnes Swick, started from the south side of the avenue for the safety zone on the north side, where they intended to board a street car. All were hurled to the pavement by the crash. Kugeman was taken to jail, but was released at the intercession of Horace E. Dodge, son of the late automobile manufacturer.