A Town in Mourning
Waupun High School senior Michael J. Smits died Saturday. Police are waiting for the medical examiner’s results as to whether it was from a medical condition or an accident.
Witnesses say Smits had been at the Warriors football game, and was on his way to the Warriors volleyball game.
According to Waupun Police Chief Dale Heeringa, Smits, 18, was at the corner of N. Mill and E. Main streets when his vehicle nudged a vehicle in front of him, then went across Main Street, and down S. Mill Street veering to the right, going onto the terrace and knocking down three signs and posts.
The people in the nudged vehicle noticed that Smits was slumped over the wheel.
Heeringa said the vehicle struck a telephone storage building.
Waupun firemen used the jaws of life to remove Smits from his vehicle, and Brooks Ambulance took him to Waupun Memorial Hospital.
Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls had been at the Warriors football game and also responded to the call which came in at 5:22 p.m. He called in two members of his accident reconstruction team telling them, “We have a crash scene two blocks long.”
The Wisconsin State Patrol also assisted the Waupun Police Department.
Today, Waupun High School principal Jeff Finstad said he met with staff before school started, and they made the announcement once school started.
“Counselors are available, and people are in there right now,” he said.
What this article doesn’t tell you, Michael was born with a heart condition. And he was a member of my church.
My prayers are with the family!
On the day that the Waupun High School announced the death of Mike Smits I began a several week substitute assignment for a special education teacher, Cathy Thurber. Sadly, Ms. Thurber died later that week. This school suffered thru 2 tragedies in one week!
I saw outpourings of grief, students and staff; hugging, crying, expressions of caring and love, etc.
I was sad, yet very proud of how this school and community came together; also of many staff so open with hugs, etc. to mourning students and students supporting many staff in the same way.
It was an honor to be working in this school during this tragic time and seeing so many pull together. I saw so much growth in many students and, even now (12/21/06) many lockers have hand made signs for both Mike and Cathy Thurber.
Best, Ken Merwin (Substitute teacher @ Waupun School District)
Comment by Ken Merwin — December 23, 2006 @ 2:15
mike was my cousin. I will never forget the day he died. I live in a different state and I got call around 6:30. I was home all alone watching tv. there was something in my uncles voice that got my attention. when he told me I broke down in tears. I instently started thinking about all my memories with mike. even though I was a girl and a good six years younger he always made me feel included. weather it was in the hot tub or in the basement he always let me play. I love mike and think about him often. I know that he’s in heaven now watching over me.
Comment by lisa — November 20, 2007 @ 12:37