Heroic Good Samaritan

Grandson of Dallas BBQ restaurant owner killed while helping hit-and-run

Donald "Trey" Collins III with wife Elizabeth and daughter Nola.

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Donald "Trey" Collins III, a good Samaritan and the 25-year-old grandson of Dwight Harvey, owner of Off the Bone Barbecue, was killed by an alleged drunk driver after he stopped to help the victims of a hit-and-run crash.

The accident occurred on I-30 near Fair Park, late at night Friday/ early morning Saturday August 12. According to Fox 4, Collins was headed home from his security job and was driving east on I-30 near Second Avenue when he came upon a hit-and-run in which a red tow truck hit a van and then departed the scene.

Investigators say that after Collins had stopped, he was hit by another driver, Irma Nelly Martinez-Leal, who was believed to be intoxicated. She crashed into the van and hit Collins, who was taken to the hospital, but died from his injuries.

Martinez-Leal, 33, has been arrested and faces one count of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle. She's also being detained on "immigration hold."

Collins served as a Marine; he and his wife Elizabeth Collins had a 2-year-old daughter, Nola. Elizabeth held a press conference and said that she forgave Martinez-Leal and is not angry with her.

Collins' grandfather Dwight Harvey, owner of Off the Bone Barbecue, posted on his Facebook page that the family was grappling with the tragedy.

"Another sad and tragic event in the family," Harvey said. "My grandson Donald Collins lll was hit and killed by a drunk driver while trying to pull people from an accident. So very proud of him. Ex Marine leaves a wife, Elizabeth, and a 2 year old daughter, Nola. He will truly be missed."

"As our family prepares to celebrate the life of my grandson Donald Collins III we just want to express our thanks for your prayers and support," he said. "For those who have asked how they can help, we will be adding a link for a GoFundMe. In lieu of sending flowers or donating to a charity this will ensure support for his wife and daughter to ease the financial burden.

The GoFundMe campaign has already earned $33,950 in donations.

RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away at his Highland Park home on November 27 while in hospice care.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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