Trucker Intentionally Runs Over Man On Bike
James Coe’s killer has been unidentified for 63 years.
James Ervin Coe was born on August 14, 1930, in Burkesville, Kentucky. The son of Chester and Ora Coe, James belonged to the Coe Ridge Colony. After slavery was abolished in the US, the colony was established by former slaves for African Americans who were struggling to build a life in society.
As a young adult, James married Roberta Allen and moved to Keystone, Indiana. The couple had six children: James (7), Betty Sue (6), Dorris Anne (5), Jerry (2), Thomas Harrold (1 ), and Roberta (10 months).
James worked at the Weir Cook Municipal Airport (now Indianapolis International Airport) as a porter. He was also a part-time preacher at the Church of First Born Saints. Nonetheless, James could not afford a car and rode his bicycle to and from the airport everyday, 14 miles each way.
On April 8, 1957, James left his house at 5:15 AM and headed to the airport as usual. He reached the northeast side intersection, at Hillside and Baltimore Avenues, when a truck appeared behind him. James, wanting to get out of the truck’s way, rode his bicycle towards the curb. However, the truck…
