Excelsior Springs native David Schoettger dies in crash trying to avoid deer

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. - A northwest Missouri man died Thursday night when he lost control of his car while trying to avoid a deer in rural Clay County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, 54-year-old David S. Schoettger, of Excelsior Springs, was headed southbound on Route JJ about a mile south of Route H around 8:30 p.m. when he swerved to miss a deer.

Schoettger’s 1999 Mercury Cougar went off the right side of the roadway, hit a ditch and overturned.

Schoettger, who a according to the report was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. He was the only person inside his vehicle. No other vehicles were involved the crash.