The Bakersfield Californian, Sunday, June 30, 1974, MOTHER, 5 KIDS DIE IN CRASH, Bishop, CA- A Burbank, woman, her five children and a neighbor were killed Saturday in a fiery crash on US 395 when a semi-trailer broke loose from its hitch and slammed into a pick-up truck carrying the seven persons, the Highway Patrol said. Patricia Baxter, 42, a neighbor, Harold L. Culler, 60, also of Burbank, and Mrs. Baxter's five Children were killed instantly in the crash about 13 miles north of here, the CHP said. The seven were reportedly traveling to Carson City, NV, to visit relatives. The five children were identified as John, 16, Tina, 14, Michel, 12, Patricia, 10, and Tanya, 7. The driver of the semi-truck, Francisco G. Flores, 25, of Lake View Terrace, was treated for minor injuries officials said.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BURBANK MOTHER, 5 CHILDREN DIE IN FIERY HIGHWAY CRASH, Burbank Daily Review, June 29, 1974. A Burbank woman and her five children were killed Friday in a fiery traffic accident near Bishop, California. Dead are, Mrs. Patricia L. Baxter, 42, of North Frederic Street, and her children, John, 17, Tina, 15, Michelle, 12, Patricia, 10 and Tanya, 8. Burbank police investigator Jeff Pratt, who was asked by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department to notify the children's father of the accident, said a logging truck apparently went out of control and hit the camper the vacationing family was riding in. The camper burst into flames. All the victims, Pratt said, were apparently burned beyond recognition. But investigators were able to identify them through other information. The father, Bill Baxter, also of Burbank has been divorced from the children's mother. No arrangements have been made yet for services.
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Los Angeles Times, July 2, 1974, Patricia Lee Baxter, services for Patricia Lee Baxter and her 5 children, John William, Tina Lee, Michelle Jean, Patricia Kathleen and Tanya Lee. Beloved mother of Richard Baxter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Della Porta, sister of Mrs. Janet Diltz, Mrs. Jackie Mathers and John Della Porta, Jr. Recitation of the Rosary, 7:30 pm Tuesday and Funeral Mass 10:am, Wednesday both at St. Finbar Catholic Church, 2010 West Olive, Burbank, CA.. Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NOTE: From the Burbank High 1974 yearbook - John Baxter, had finished his junior year at Burbank High where he lettered in JV football and twice in JV baseball. He was a warm and sincere person whose good nature and unselfishness made him an outstanding complement to our teams and to the school community.
