Schnitker Dies in North Florida Crash

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Updated: 10:08 AM Jul 22, 2008 Schnitker Dies in North Florida Crash A Panama City Beach man has died from injuries he suffered in a wreck on Interstate 75 Sunday night. Posted: 7:49 AM Jul 22, 2008 Ben Schnitker

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A Panama City Beach man has died from injuries he suffered in a wreck on Interstate 75 Sunday night.

19-year-old Benjamin H. Schnitker died Monday at Shands hospital in Gainesville.

State troopers say Schnitker was driving northbound on I-75 near Ocala around 7:00 Sunday night when his car veeered off the road. The car hit a small group of trees, leaving Schnitker with a severed spinal cord.

His passenger, 18-year-old Steven L. Cottle, also of Panama City Beach, was listed in critical condition.

Troopers say Cottle was wearing his seatbelt, and Schnitker was not wearing his.

Family members say the two men were returning to Bay County after a weekend trip to Tampa.

Ben Schnitker was a 2007 graduate of Arnold High School. His parents Mark and Cil Schnitker and his brother Matt were at his bedside in Gainesville when doctors removed him from life-support.

The Schnitker's are very active in the community, contributing their time to countless charitable organizations.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Don Location: Panama City Beach on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM

I cannot imagine the horror of receiving the call of a child in a terrible accident. I've known Ben and his family for many years, as our children were classmates throughout school. Ben was a fine young man, raised right by a loving family. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ben, Mark, Cil and Matty during this horrible time.

Posted by: Bree Location: Crestview on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM

I never had the joy of meeting this bright young man, but I know a lot of his friends and I know how much he meant to them. I will for sure be praying for his family and friends during this time of sadness.

Posted by: Finch Location: Tampa Bay on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:38 AM

God, I'll miss this guy. We had been met when he volunteered at Anime South in 2007. Ben was an incredibly sweet person. He was also a person of principle, something that is rare in today's world. My prayers go to his family and friends.

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