PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa — Heartbreak has struck the town of Pleasantville as the community grieves the sudden and tragic loss of Donald McCormick, a 16-year-old high school junior who died in a car accident on Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2025.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the fatal crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Highway 5 near 200th Avenue in Warren County. Donald was a passenger in a vehicle driven by another 16-year-old. Authorities say the driver overcorrected after leaving the roadway, causing the vehicle to lose control, veer into a ditch, and roll over.
Though both teens were reportedly wearing seatbelts, Donald McCormick was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
A Devastating Loss for the School and Community
In a heartfelt message posted on Facebook, Pleasantville High School Superintendent Tony Aylsworth confirmed Donald’s passing and expressed the deep sorrow felt by the school district.
“Donald was a valued member of our school community, and his loss is and will be felt deeply by all of us,” Aylsworth wrote. “We extend our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the McCormick family, as well as Donald’s friends, classmates, teachers, directors, coaches, and all who knew him.”
In response, the school is mobilizing emotional support for students and staff. Grief counselors and support personnel will be available at the PHS Events Center starting Monday.
A Community Comes Together
In addition to the school’s efforts, the Pleasantville Youth Initiative is organizing a community-wide memorial event in Donald’s honor.
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From 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the Events Center will welcome students, families, and residents to receive comfort and counseling from grief professionals, local pastors, and therapy dogs.
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A candlelight vigil will follow from 7 to 8 p.m. at the PHS flagpole, where attendees will gather to share memories, sing, and reflect on Donald’s life.
Remembering Donald
Described as kind-hearted, dedicated, and full of promise, Donald McCormick touched the lives of many. His passing has left a deep and painful void in Pleasantville—a reminder of how fragile life can be, and how important it is for communities to come together in times of sorrow.
As the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to healing, remembrance, and support. Donald’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him—his family, friends, teachers, and the broader Pleasantville community.
Rest in peace, Donald McCormick.
You will never be forgotten.
The post Pleasantville Mourns the Loss of 16-Year-Old Donald McCormick in Tragic Car Crash first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
