Community Mourns Loss of 21-Year-Old Athlete Killed By Drunk Driver

BROOKFIELD, CT — The Brookfield and Manhattanville College community is mourning the loss of one of their own— a young man, 21, who was taken far too soon at the hands of a drunk driver. Robert Schartner, a college junior and member of the Manhattanville men's lacrosse team, passed away early last Sunday in White Plains while walking to school.

Police said that Emma Fox, 24, of Rye, had a blood alcohol content of 0.21 percent when she hit Schartner. Fox is being held in the Westchester County Jail and is being charged with vehicular manslaughter, according to the Journal News said.

A post on Manhattanville's Go Valiants athletics website said Schartner was in his third season in the lacrosse program. Manhattanville President Michael Geisler, Ph.D. wrote the following in an email to Manhattanville students, faculty and staff:

"In his three years as a men's lacrosse player Robert earned his spot on the team the hard way. It was not easy for him, but the sacrifices he made inspired the team and epitomized what it means to be a scholar-athlete at Manhattanville. The level of Robert's commitment to his team could never come into question; whatever he was asked to do, he did with a smile on his face. That was his understanding of what it means to be a true teammate. He loved the sport of lacrosse, he loved his teammates and he loved being a Manhattanville lacrosse player. … We are all in shock and we extend our prayers and condolences to his family members and friends."

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Shartner was laid to rest last Tuesday.

Additional reporting by Michael Woyton (Patch Staff)

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