The Stalker

October, 1970

BLUE ...

From the Evanston, Illinois, Review, October 3, 1970:

BUSINESSMAN KILLED, 4 HURT IN FREAK AUTOMOBILE EXPLOSION

Elgin businessman Frederick S. Cavalacci was killed last night, and four other prominent citizens were injured, when Cavalacci’s 1969 compact Chevrolet exploded in the Elks Club parking lot following an Urban Betterment League meeting.

Police sergeant Thomas Carlisle, the investigating officer, stated that there was the possibility of “fuel leakage from the carburetor somehow igniting, but we have no way of determining if this was the actual cause of the explosion.” Another of the officers on the scene said that the blast was “one of those tragic things that happen sometimes, a real freak.”

The other four men—David Keller, George R. Litchik, Nels Samuelson and Allan Conover—were treated for minor burns at County Memorial Hospital and subsequently released. Samuelson told reporters: “We had just come out of the meeting and were walking together toward our cars. We saw Fred get into his Camaro and heard the starter grind, and then there was this terrible, white-hot burst of flame. The concussion knocked us all off our feet. I thought the whole world had exploded.”

Cavalacci, 32, owned a half-interest in Bargains, Inc.—one of Evanston’s largest discount department stores. He was a native of Arden, Oklahoma, and came to this city in 1959. In 1963 he entered into partnership with Graham Isaacs of Evanston to establish Bargains, Inc. He was active in public affairs, and last year ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the City Council.

He is survived by his wife, Rona, and a seven-year-old daughter, Judith Anne.