An accident near Gilbertville Tuesday morning has claimed the life of a Don Bosco student. At around 7:15 a.m. a 22 year old in a Jeep Cherokee collided with a Pontiac Sunfire driven by 14 year old Kelli Schmitz in the 8000 block of Poyner Road. The Jeep became fully engulfed in flames but the driver was able to escape the vehicle. She was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Schmitz was trapped in her vehicle and died of her injuries at the hospital.
Schmitz was the lone cheerleader for the Don Bosco basketball teams. Because of her death, the Dons boys Substate Semifinal game vs Maquoketa Valley was postponed to Wednesday in Independence. Her brother, David, is a starter for the Dons. Fans traveling to the game Wednesday are encouraged to wear purple, Schmitz’ favorite color. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses and a memorial. At the time of writing it has raised over $5,300.