Former Wall VFD Fire Chief Killed in Crash

SAN ANGELO, TX — An 88-year-old San Angelo man was killed Monday evening in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 87 northbound and Debus Road in Tom Green County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. DPS identified the victim as John Ernest Schwartz, who was driving a 2022 GMC Sierra pickup. Schwartz was pronounced deceased at the scene by Judge Tom Daniels. Authorities said he was not wearing a seatbelt.

The other driver, a 40-year-old man of San Angelo, was operating a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban and was not injured, according to the report.

A preliminary investigation found that Schwartz’s vehicle was traveling north on Debus Road and failed to yield the right of way at a yield sign while crossing U.S. 87. His vehicle was struck by the Suburban traveling westbound on the highway.

Weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the crash.

Schwartz was the first fire chief of the Wall Volunteer Fire Department, which wrote about his impact Tuesday on its Facebook page.

"John Schwartz Sr. was one of the original members that took on the task of protecting the community of Wall," the post stated. "He and many others were instrumental in founding the department in 1968. John and family were lifelong supporters of Wall VFD and we are saddened by the loss of a great man who was a leader in the early years and a mentor to previous members and always a kind person.

"We at Wall VFD would like to express our condolences to the family as the traverse this hard time and ask the supporters and community of Wall to please keep the Schwartz family in your thoughts and prayers during this time."