ST. CHARLES – Employees at St. Charles Veterinary Clinic are still in shock over the unexpected death of veterinarian John Gmitro, known for his compassion with animals.
"He had a loyal following with people who trusted him with their pets," said Marty Strauss, manager of the clinic. "He had a way about him that animals really responded to."
Gmitro, 43, of Elburn, was killed in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Interstate 90-94 near the Wisconsin Dells.
Gmitro was driving east when his 2004 Hyundai crossed the median and crashed into a semi-truck traveling west just before 9 a.m., the Wisconsin State Patrol said.
The driver of the semi, Ronald D. Lindquist, 50, of Lonsdale, Minn., was not injured.
Sauk County Coroner Betty Hinze said Gmitro died of a severe head injury. At the request of his family, she will not be doing an autopsy.
Wisconsin State Patrol Sgt. Tanya Connors said her department continues to investigate the crash.
"We are still looking into the cause of Mr. Gmitro leaving the road," Connors said.
She did not know how fast his car was going at the time of the crash.
Gmitro had worked at the clinic since 1998. At the time of the accident, he was driving home from Minnesota, where he had vacation property, Strauss said.
Strauss said Gmitro was a gifted and knowledgeable veterinarian. She had known him for 10 years.
"He had an instinct and a gift when it came to practicing medicine," Strauss said.
Gmitro also was always full of humor, she said.
"He was always fun to work with and had a great sense of humor," Strauss said.
The clinic is planning to hold a memorial for Gmitro in his honor, she said.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
