Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC -
The young woman killed Tuesday in a fiery car crash on
Interstate 43 was described Wednesday as a bubbly, outgoing person who made people smile.
Crystal L. Schneider, 20, graduated in 2004 from Lincoln High School, where
she was a cheerleader.
Principal Keith Shaw said Schneider was "a ball of energy."
"She was a kid who people wanted to be around," he said. "She made people
smile. She was a captivating young lady."
On Tuesday, Schneider's northbound car crossed the I-43 median and collided
head-on with a southbound semitrailer, according to Brown County Sheriff's
Department officials.
The crash occurred at about 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, just north of North Avenue in New Denmark. Schneider's car and the semitrailer burst into flames.
Schneider died at the scene. The truck driver, 68-year-old Ronald Monegain
of Olympia Fields, Ill., was treated at the scene for minor injuries,
sheriff's department officials said.
The accident is still under investigation, Brown County Sheriff's Lt. Chris
Knurr said.
On Wednesday, news of Schneider's death saddened those who knew her.
"It's a complete shock," said Linda Gordon, Schneider's high school
cheerleading coach. "I can't believe this."
In class, Gordon said Schneider was quiet and a good student.
"I was very surprised to see her in class as reserved and quiet," Gordon
said. "As a cheerleader, she was very outgoing. I saw two different sides of
her.
"She was very strong and determined. If there was something in cheering that
we were trying to accomplish, she was determined to get it done and keep
trying until we got to that point."
As a sophomore and junior at Lincoln, Schneider was involved in marching
band, symphonic band and cheerleading.
As a senior, Schneider was a teacher's assistant at Jefferson Elementary
School, where she assisted music teacher Connie Dorner, who declined comment on Wednesday.
Knurr said it would likely be "a couple of days" before investigators
determine the cause of the crash. Schneider suffered burns when her car
caught fire after colliding with the semitrailer, Knurr said.
Brown County Medical Examiner Al Klimek, said Schneider had no pre-existing
medical conditions.
