Christmas trip turns fatal

WAXAHACHIE - A Christmas trip turned fatal when 50-year-old Penny Schimank, of Lincoln, allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel with her three children in the car driving down Interstate Highway 35- E, near the 403 exit ramp, Saturday, Dec. 17.

According to the crash report issued by the Waxahachie Police Department, Schimank was driving north bound on the 1400 block of Interstate Highway 35- E when James Montgomery, 68, of Corsicana was parked on the right shoulder of the same location. When Schimank fell asleep, she drifted off of the right side of the roadway in her 2002 tan Chevrolet Suburban and collided with Montgomery’s 2003 white Mack truck causing Schimank to spin clockwise and stopping to rest on the vehicles right side.

The crash, occurring around 8:20 a.m. , instantly killed the oldest of the children, front passenger, Bethany D. Schimank, 19.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Jackie Miller pronounced her dead at 9:30 a.m. before the body was transported by Wayne Boze Funeral Home to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office.

“Cause is still under investigation but seems mom was heading to Christmas out of state,” said Miller.

“She(Bethany) was the same age as my daughter, my heart and prayers go out to all of the family.”

The other two children and the mom were transported by CareFlite  and taken to Charlton Methodist Dallas. Updates on their injures were unavailable as of press time.

Montgomery, employee of B G Trucking in Corsicana, was written a ticket at the scene for an expired inspection sticker. He had no reported injuries.

No charges have been filed as the investigation is still pending.

Source: The Ellis County Press