Donald Schmitt, Jr. dies in fatal Peoria car crash

Donald Schmitt, Jr. dies in fatal Peoria car crash

Fatal Peoria car crash death of Donald Schmitt, Jr. – Obituary

A deadly crash early Wednesday morning in Peoria claimed the life of 69-year-old Donald Schmitt, Jr., who was driving a Mercedes-Benz sedan. The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. near the intersection of 91st Avenue and Hearn Road, just north of Thunderbird Road.

According to Peoria police, both vehicles were traveling south on 91st Avenue when Schmitt’s car, reportedly operating with a flat front tire, lost control. Authorities say the vehicle struck a curb, rear-ended a Ram pickup truck, and then slammed into a tree in the center median.

Schmitt was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The collision prompted the closure of 91st Avenue between Desert Harbor Drive and 90th Lane for several hours. The road was reopened shortly after 1 p.m. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.