Auto Talk: Auto Writer Don Schroeder Dead at 35

The automotive community was shocked and saddened by the loss of Car and Driver senior technical editor Don Schroeder, who died Feb. 11 following the crash of a high-performance RENNtech Mer-cedes-Benz that he was test driving at Fort Stockton, TX.

He was the sole occupant when the engine exploded and he lost control of the vehicle at high speed.

"Don was an experienced and fully qualified test driver. We share with his family, his friends and his readers, grief in his death," said Csaba Csere, Car and Driver editor-in-chief. "He was a good friend, a great writer and a true car guy. It is a tragic loss, and we will miss him."

Mr. Schroeder had been with Car and Driver since 1990 and was a regular contributor to the magazine and a primary track tester for new vehicles. He was 35.