Chamberlain charged in Aug. 15 crash that killed Sumpter woman

Christopher Allan Chamberlain, 23, of Van Buren Township was video-arraigned in custody by 34th District Court Chief Judge Brian A. Oakley on Feb. 11 on a charge of reckless driving causing death on Aug. 15, 2025 in Van Buren Township, a 15-year felony.
Chamberlain is also charged with felony commission with motor vehicle – adult advisory, with driver’s license suspension, if convicted.
The defendant is scheduled for a probable cause conference on Feb. 24 and a preliminary exam on March 3. Personal bond is $5,000 and there are no special conditions for his bond.
The charges stem from a three-vehicle, head-on crash on Haggerty Road just south of the North I-94 Service Drive in Van Buren Township that took the life of Janet Lynn Schonscheck, 64, of Sumpter Township. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At about 11:15 a.m. Aug. 15, the Van Buren Township Public Safety Department and Huron Valley Ambulance were dispatched to the site.
In a police report at the time, Detective/Lieutenant Kenneth Floro said the preliminary investigation showed that a red Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound on Haggerty Road when the vehicle crossed over the center line and collided with a burgundy Ford Explorer that was traveling southbound on Haggerty Road.
A third vehicle, a silver BMW, that was traveling southbound on Haggerty was also involved in the collision.
The township fire department had to extricate the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado from his vehicle. The driver, aged 22 at the time, was treated at the scene and then transported to Trinity Hospital – Ann Arbor by Huron Valley Ambulance, where he was further treated for his injuries and listed in stable condition.
D./Lt. Floro said Janet Lynn Schonscheck, who died at the scene, was driving the Ford Explorer. The driver of the BMW was not injured in the accident and was released at the scene.
The preliminary details of this crash indicate that excessive speed may have been a contributing factor, D./Lt. Floro reported at the time.
After the arraignment on Feb. 11, Van Buren Township Police Chief Jason Wright said, “The death of Janet Schonscheck is tragic, and my thoughts and condolences remain with her family and friends.”