Two killed in two separate crashes in Walworth County

WALWORTH CO. (WITI) -- The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to two separate fatal crashes on Sunday afternoon, October 13th.  The crashes occurred at 3:46 p.m. and 4:53 p.m.

One crash included an arrest and charges being forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office for OWI-Homicide. The Sheriff’s Crash Investigation Unit responded to both crashes and they remain open and under investigation at this time.

The details of each case are listed below:

CASE #1

Deputies were dispatched to County Hwy C, just west of Clowes Road near the Rock County Line in the Town of Darien around 3:46 p.m.

Upon arrival, deputies observed that a 65-year-old motorcycle operator from Wheeling, IL had been eastbound on Hwy C when he struck the guardrail with his 1999 Ducati.  The motorcycle and driver then entered into oncoming westbound traffic, where they were struck by a 2003 Dodge Mini-van.

The driver of the motorcycle is identified as Stephen Schmitz.  He died at the scene.

None of the persons in the van required medical attention.

CASE #2

At 4:53 p.m , deputies were dispatched to Hwy 89 south of Island Road in the Town of Whitewater for a two-vehicle rollover crash. The rolled over vehicle was a 2005 Ford Freestyle SUV.

The driver of that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene and is identified as 40-year-old Melissa Patrick of Whitewater. Her female juvenile passenger was taken by ambulance to Fort Atkinson Hospital with moderate injuries.

Initial investigation at the scene revealed that Melissa Patrick was southbound on Hwy 89 and was slowing to attempt to enter a driveway when her SUV was hit from behind by a 2014 Chevy Malibu, forcing it into the ditch, where it overturned.

Melissa Patrick was ejected during the rollover.

Charges of OWI-Homicide, OWI-Causing Injury, and Reckless Driving-Endangering Safety have been referred to the DA’s Office against the driver of the Chevy Malibu.