A father is grieving the loss of his wife and young son while two other sons fight for their lives after in accident in rural Will County Monday morning.
Twenty-nine-year-old Lindsey Schmidt was out with her three young sons at about 8:30 a.m. in Beecher when a truck ran the stop sign at Yates and Corning--slamming into them, authorities said.
The impact so great it sent Schmidt's car barreling into a cornfield, carving a path of destruction.
Lindsey Schmidt and her 2-year-old son Kaleb were pronounced dead at the scene.
Her two other sons, ages 4 and 6, were rushed to a hospital.
A family member told NBC 5 over Facebook "(Lindsey) was a wonderful woman. We are heartbroken."
The Schmidt family built their dream home on a quiet road in Beecher where neighbors describe them as "the perfect family."
Local
A father himself--Nick McPherson is haunted by the crash.
"Really sad to hear what happened, it's really tragic," said McPherson.
He says he hopes it will make drivers think twice before rushing through intersections.
Witnesses say the driver of the pickup truck appeared to be in his 20's.
The investigation into the crash continues. So far no charges have been filed.
A donation fund has been set up at First Community Bank and Trust. Checks should be made payable to The Schmidt Family Fund and delivered to either the bank's Beecher or Peotone locations. Checks can also be mailed to PO Box 457, Beecher, IL 60401.
