Police identify man killed in early morning collision in Peoria

PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily) — A man is dead following a crash early Wednesday morning in Peoria.

The two-vehicle crash happened just before 4:30 a.m. at 91st Avenue and Hearn Road, just north of Thunderbird Road. Police said the crash involved a Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes-Benz sedan.

The driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. He has since been identified as 69-year-old Donald Schmitt, Jr. of Peoria.

The other driver was taken to the hospital with what police describe as minor injuries.

Investigators say the crash happened as both vehicles were southbound on 91st Avenue approaching Hearn Road. According to Peoria police, Schmitt was driving on a flat front tire when he lost control and struck a curb, rear-ended the Ram and crashed into a tree in the center median.

Peoria PD closed 91st Avenue in both directions between Desert Harbor Drive and 90th Lane. It reopened around 1:15 p.m.

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