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August 20, 2008

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Man Killed While Mowing Lawn

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By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Jul 17, 2008 at 2:24 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2008 at 8:03 PM CDT

A Washington man is dead after a car struck him while he was mowing his yard.

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An autopsy is scheduled Thursday for 67–year–old Robert Donecker.

He was on a riding lawn mower on the road in front of his house on Dutch Lane Wednesday night when a vehicle struck him.

Donecker was rushed to OSF St. Francis Medical Center where he died a short time later in the emergency room.

The Tazewell County Sheriff's department is investigating the crash. No tickets have been issued yet.

View Oldest Comments First

Sunday, Jul 20 at 8:10 PM MOM OF 2 wrote ...

This is a terriable tragidy. I will keep both of these families in my thoughts and prayers. Please don't judge to quickly. God dosen't judge, who gave you the right? Both people were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Split second accident. What if it had been you? This young man has to live with this for the rest of his life. Son, your Mother and the rest of your family will get you through this. The family of the poor gentleman, stay close and love each other.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 7:30 PM Dustin J Grebner continued wrote ...

if you would like to talk futher on the subject come and visit me.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 10:57 PM Softball wrote ...

While everyone expects just because he drives a mustang and worse a red mustang, that it is new, or that he is a spoiled kid. For one Josh is a good kid, he is one of the kindest most nicest people i've ever met. I have known him a long time, and I know that he wouldn't purposely do something like this. We weren't there so no one truely knows what happened so stop passing judgement. It was merely an ACCIDENT... So think before you type... Families may be reading this.

Friday, Jul 18 at 11:23 PM ha wrote ...

Maybe people need an intellect test before they post comments. Read the article, wait for reconstruction results. Since when do mowers have the right of way in the street? Think about everyone involved. No one wins in an accident. Nothing replaces a person. Nothing erases a memory. Kids are inexdperienced, true, but the guy on the lawn mower was old enough to know better too.

Friday, Jul 18 at 10:57 PM Anonymous wrote ...

One of the nicest guys.. see ya man.....

Friday, Jul 18 at 8:24 PM RT wrote ...

Josh is not a spoiled kid. His car is close to 10 years old. Josh has always been a safe and cautious driver. Reserve judgement until you know the facts. One thing I know is that Josh is a very down to earth respectful kid who was part of a horrible accident. I wouldn't want to have to walk a mile in his shoes, if you wouldn't either, don't pass judgement.

Friday, Jul 18 at 6:45 PM DM wrote ...

The Journal Star reported the man was mowing next to the road and was hit by a 17 year old boy in a Mustang. Would it have been different if the Mustang hit a kid riding a bicycle? I drive down Dutch almost every day. It's not like the mower could have came out of no where and flew in front of the car.

Friday, Jul 18 at 3:31 PM Spoon wrote ...

It is rumored that neighbors warned the victim not to turn around in the road without looking. But let's wait for the facts. One fact is that 8:00 there is is plenty of light. Don't we live in a society where a person is inocent until proven guilty? Or has that changed?

Friday, Jul 18 at 2:01 PM Bill and Spoon wrote ...

Lets get some facts -- Dusk, Lawn-mower (probably had head light), older man, 17 year old kid, fast (v6 v8) car, probably brand new (spoiled kid). I will probably guess the gentleman checked the road before venturing out in the road to mow another section of his yard. Kid in fast car, probably texting/talking on cell phone exceeding speed limit (cause of fast car). I would have to say the kid is at fault and both him and the parents should be charged.

Friday, Jul 18 at 12:17 PM Spoon wrote ...

I love how the news and people are quick to judge the youth in drive cases. Adults can be at fault too in any situation. Wait for facts and you will be giving apologies.

Friday, Jul 18 at 6:30 AM DM wrote ...

We live near Dutch and heard the sirens. It was in the evening but we still had plenty of daylight left. Of course the way people fly down Dutch Lane and Nofsinger Rd it wouldn't matter whether it was noon or midnight!

Friday, Jul 18 at 2:10 AM A Reader wrote ...

I might be wrong, but I think it happened around 8:00-8:30pm. If so, he should have been able to see him. While I think it was an accident, part of driving is paying attention to what's on the road.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 11:01 PM AW wrote ...

If you read the story correctly, you would have seen that the person riding the lawn mower was riding it at night and in the road, not in their lawn in clear daylight. This is no homicide. This was clearly accidental.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:14 PM bill wrote ...

OMG...like he was really intentionally driving in someone's yard. are you on the sheriff's department and part of the team that is reconstructing the accident. if not dont be so quick to judge what happened, freak accidents happen every day

Thursday, Jul 17 at 9:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...

This man was one of the nicest persons Ive ever met. He always had a joke or two to tell. He will be greatly missed.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 9:39 PM LK wrote ...

HEY WILLIE OHLMANN, RE-READ STORY HE WAS IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. SO NO ONE WAS DRIVING IN SOMEONE'S ELSE'S YARD. WHAT TIME OF NIGHT WAS THIS????? SO WILLIE DUH..........