October 2, 2011
By Brian Brueggemann, BND.com
The first day of archery deer season in Illinois resulted in a
fatality when a rural Edwardsville hunter's all-terrain vehicle
flipped at a creek crossing.
The accident claimed the life of Edward J. Schoonover, 68, of
rural Edwardsville, an avid outdoorsman who was looking forward to
the start of deer season, according to his daughter.
Madison County Sheriff's Capt. Brad Wells said Schoonover and his
brother, 56-year-old John G. Schoonover of rural Edwardsville,
finished hunting on family-owned property in unincorporated
Edwardsville on Saturday evening and were returning from the woods.
Edward Schoonover was driving an ATV, and his brother was seated
behind him, riding as a passenger.
"As the men crossed a creek, the ATV flipped, throwing both men
from the ATV," Wells said. "The driver of the ATV was fatally
injured as a result of the accident. The passenger was not seriously
injured and ran from the woods to summons help."
Police, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched about 7:45
p.m. to the area of the 1000 block of Hillsboro Avenue, near the
scene of the accident.
Coroner Steve Nonn said the men were riding a Kawasaki Prairie
360.
"As they were attempting to ascend an embankment, the unit
overturned and the decedent was pinned underneath the ATV," Nonn
said.
A deputy coroner pronounced Edward Schoonover dead at the scene.
Edward Schoonover's daughter, Lisa Adams, said her father has
been hunting for 40 years.
"He loved the outdoors, anything to do with the outdoors," Adams
said. "He went fishing and hunting any time he could."
The state's archery deer season began Saturday and ends Jan. 16.
"He was very much looking forward to it," Adams said.
She said her father was a retired truck driver who enjoyed
gardening and "loved spending time with his family and his
granddaughter."
Funeral arrangements were pending Sunday at Weber Funeral Home in
Edwardsville.
