Man accused in fatal DWI crash posts bond, son also arrested while trying to pick up father
CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Linn Creek man who is accused of multiple driving while intoxicated charges was arrested and posted a $150,000 bond on Thursday.
Steven Vonderschmidt, 51, was charged with DWI - causing the death of another and DWI - causing personal injury. A court date has not been listed yet, according to Casenet.
Susan Graham, 73, of Arcola, Missouri, was killed Monday afternoon on Highway 54 in Camden County. The patrol says Graham was riding in a Ford pickup truck going westbound when a GMC truck, driven by Vonderschmidt, crossed the center line and collided with the Ford.
The Ford’s driver, Larry Graham, 75, of Arcola, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. Susan Graham was pronounced dead at the hospital, the patrol says.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper met Vonderschmidt in the emergency room at Lake Regional Hospital, according to the probable cause statement. Vonderschmidt was on his back on a gurney and talked with the trooper.
“I left my son’s house and was going to go shoot guns when I was in an accident,” Vonderschmidt told the trooper, according to the probable cause statement.
Vonderschmidt’s speech was slurred and mumbled, according to the statement. He was not able to open his right eye due to injuries, but his left eye was “bloodshot and glassy,” according to the statement. The trooper claimed he smelled alcohol.
His son, Derric Vonderschmidt, was also arrested when he went to pick up Steven from the hospital, according to a Camden County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. He had an outstanding warrant in relation to a third-degree domestic assault charge.
Derric Vonderschmidt, 34, of Camdenton, is being held without bond at the Camden County Jail. A case review is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 at the Camden County Courthouse. In another case, Derric was charged with fourth-degree domestic assault and second-degree harassment.
