Pickup driver suffers medical condition
IMLAY CITY — Details of a tragic fatal motor vehicle-pedestrian crash that occurred downtown Imlay City on Wednesday, June 28, have been released by Imlay City police.
In a statement issued Friday, June 30, Imlay City Chief Brett Selby says a 67-year-old Attica man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while jogging along Almont Avenue.
Chief Selby says the victim was jogging south on Almont Ave. when he was struck by a 71-year-old male from Mussey Twp. who was driving south on Almont Ave.
A 67-year-old Attica man was killed when he was struck by a vehicle whose driver experienced a medical emergency, lost consciousness and veered off of Almont Avenue last Wednesday in Imlay City.
Although not identified by police, an obituary from Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Imlay City has identified the victim as David Penzien.
He was a lifelong resident of Attica and was an Imlay City graduate of the Class of 1974.
According to his obituary, Penzien grew up on his family’s Centennial Farm and worked the land around Attica, Capac and Imlay City all of his life.
He raised sugar beets and certified wheat, oats and barley seed. David and Sharon Schmidt Goda were united in marriage April 3, 1987.
Penzien was a leader of the Imlay City FFA and played in the Imlay City high school band.
He also learned to play the piano and organ and was an excellent church musician, serving as church organist for several area churches over the years.
Later, after joining the Davison Missionary Church, Penzien became the Men’s Choir Director.
Known for his running and jogging, Penzien earned many medals from competing in 5K, 10K, half-marathons and full marathons around the state.
He took part in the Mighty Mackinac Bridge race, took part in Flint’s Crim Race for 30 years, ran the Detroit Marathon and several Imlay City Blueberry Festival 5K and 10K races.
Police say Penzien was on a morning jog through downtown, and was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of his injuries.
The 71-year-old male driver was taken from the scene to Lapeer McLaren, and was in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.
His wife, who was in the passenger seat of the pickup truck, also went to the hospital to be with her husband, but did not have any visible injuries, according to the press release.
Chief Selby said, “The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the pickup truck had a medical emergency while driving and lost consciousness.”
The press release stated the man’s wife attempted to take control of the pickup truck and bring it to a stop.
“The vehicle continued for about 80 yards and veered right toward the building, striking the jogger before clipping the corner of the building and coming to rest,” Chief Selby reported.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends in this tragic incident,” Chief Selby said.
Imlay City Police officers responded to the crash and later requested the assistance of the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office Fatal Crash Investigation Team. The incident remains under investigation.
Penzien’s funeral was held Monday morning at the Davison Missionary Church. See the full obituary on page 10.
