A single-vehicle crash in Lincoln, Neb., claimed the life of a promising automotive restoration student on June 17.
Authorities said 20-year-old Alexander Schoneweis was alone driving his 1953 Chevrolet, which was upgraded with a V-8 engine, near the southwest edge of the city when the car went out of control, through a ditch and struck a wooden utility pole. The victim, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Schoneweis had completed two years in the Automotive Restoration program at McPherson College in McPherson, Kan. He had recently started an apprenticeship with Auto Kraft Body & Paint, a restoration shop in Lincoln. He was graduated with honors from high school, where he ran cross-country and excelled in shop and woodworking classes.
“Alex was just a great guy, a craftsman in training,” Auto Kraft owner Doug Kielian said. “He had a bright future in the automotive industry.” Another friend related that Alex “was on a mission to save as many classic cars as possible.”
His parents and a twin brother are among many surviving relatives and friends.
