I am the father of Tory Schmidt, who is married to Jeff, and is the mother of Sawyer, my granddaughter. Tory, Jeff, and Sawyer participated in the wedding of Tory's sister and Sawyer's aunt on 9/29 in Bend, Oregon and were headed back home to Bozeman when tragedy struck.
Tory was the matron-of-honor and Sawyer was the flower
-girl at the wedding. A tremendously fun celebration, we were all feeling so joyful until black ice surreptitiously took its toll. Crossing an icy bridge between 7th and Main on Interstate 90, their pickup went out of control on the ice and eventually rolled 4 times. Luckily everyone was belted in and escaped major injury.
You can imagine the horror, however, going from wedding-elation to shock, having your vehicle totaled and possessions scattered over all the lanes of the Interstate.
But the shock didn't end there.
Many of their belongings (camping equipment, clothes, personal items, coolers) were lashed to the back of the flatbed on their pickup only to be scattered across the interstate. Now, all gone.
Tory and Jeff need to not only replace their pickup but all the necessities they lost, plus find a new dog. As Tory's dad, Jeff's father-in-law, and Sawyer's grandfather, I put out a heart-felt plea for family, friends, and the community of Bozeman-at-large to help this great
couple out in their time of need and help them get back on their financial feet.
Tory was the matron-of-honor and Sawyer was the flower
-girl at the wedding. A tremendously fun celebration, we were all feeling so joyful until black ice surreptitiously took its toll. Crossing an icy bridge between 7th and Main on Interstate 90, their pickup went out of control on the ice and eventually rolled 4 times. Luckily everyone was belted in and escaped major injury.
You can imagine the horror, however, going from wedding-elation to shock, having your vehicle totaled and possessions scattered over all the lanes of the Interstate.
But the shock didn't end there.
To make matters worse, the Schmidt's dog, Sen, ran off (probably due to injuries), then tried to make her way back to the crash site the next morning only to be hit by a vehicle on the same interstate that wrecked their pickup. Sen died. Great dog, a tremendous loss!!
Tory and Jeff, as many young couples in Bozeman, live on the financial edge as they try to pay back their college loans. They keep their bills low by living in a small trailer.
The little they do have is so important to sustain them. You can imagine.
Tory and Jeff, as many young couples in Bozeman, live on the financial edge as they try to pay back their college loans. They keep their bills low by living in a small trailer.
The little they do have is so important to sustain them. You can imagine.
Many of their belongings (camping equipment, clothes, personal items, coolers) were lashed to the back of the flatbed on their pickup only to be scattered across the interstate. Now, all gone.Tory and Jeff need to not only replace their pickup but all the necessities they lost, plus find a new dog. As Tory's dad, Jeff's father-in-law, and Sawyer's grandfather, I put out a heart-felt plea for family, friends, and the community of Bozeman-at-large to help this great
couple out in their time of need and help them get back on their financial feet.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tory Schmidt
Beneficiary