Monona, Wisconsin — Derek William Schwarting, 25, died after a chaotic seven‑vehicle crash at the intersection of East Broadway and Monona Drive that began when another driver suffered a sudden medical emergency, police said.
Schwarting was injured on March 24 when a full‑size pickup truck, heading east on East Broadway, veered into stopped vehicles at a red light after its driver suddenly lost consciousness. The impact threw multiple cars into one another, injuring six drivers, including Schwarting.
The pickup driver, who did not suffer serious physical injuries, collapsed behind the wheel before the collision, officials said. Emergency responders and the Wisconsin State Patrol worked at the scene for hours as investigators began sorting out the cause. So far, police say there is no indication that alcohol, drugs, or reckless behavior played a role.
Schwarting was taken to a local hospital after the crash and fought for his life. On March 26, the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death. Friends and family remember him as a 2019 McFarland High School graduate and a standout quarterback who set school records before graduating magna cum laude in physics from the University of Wisconsin‑La Crosse.
After college, Schwarting rose to the role of project manager at a technology firm and founded a charity called With Heart Mission, inspired by his own recovery from open‑heart surgery. In the days after the crash, community members raised support for his family and honored his life with donations and stories of his kindness.
Investigators continue to review evidence from the scene and statement from witnesses. Police Chief Brian Chaney asked that everyone impacted by the tragedy be kept in thoughts as the inquiry moves forward.
