On January 12, 1931, Officer Ronald Wainscott, 27 years old, was responding to an emergency fire call when his vehicle broadsided a Cadillac Victoria Coupe in the intersection of Haley Street and De La Vina Street. The devastation was heightened by the high rate of speed both vehicles were traveling at as they entered the intersection.

Officer Wainscott and an occupant of the Cadillac were transported to Cottage Hospital where they later died of their injuries. The call Officer Wainscott was responding to was later determined to be a false alarm.