Retired judge dies after being struck by car
Yuma resident Donald Michael Irwin, who was hit by a vehicle last week while riding his bike in South Lake Tahoe has died, according to the family.
Jay Irwin, a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona in Yuma, said his brother was taken off life support on Monday and passed away that afternoon.
“(Donald) was probably out riding in preparation for another triathlon,” Jay Irwin said of the accident in which his 70-year-old brother was killed.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the incident happened as a 35-yearold California man was driving his 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Pioneer Trail while going between 45 and 50 mph. Irwin was traveling in the same direction at about 20 mph.
The SUV drifted to the right and struck Irwin with the passenger-side rearview mirror, causing him to lose control of his bicycle. Donald Irwin was thrown from his bicycle onto the roadway, striking his head and rolling over several times before coming to a stop.
Donald Irwin, who was wearing a helmet, suffered a head injury and was unconscious when emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. He was flown to Renown Hospital in Reno with life-threatening injuries.
Donald Irwin was a retired La Paz County Superior Court judge.
Tina Schwab, the chief deputy of the La Paz County Superior Court, worked as Donald Irwin’s courtroom clerk for 11 years. She said he was a good judge who enjoyed cycling and hiking and will be greatly missed.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him. He was a great judge, and I will never forget him,” Schwab said. “The court system was completely new to me when I started, and he taught me so much.”
Schwab said in 1983 Donald Irwin became the first judge ever elected to the La Paz County Superior Court and ran unopposed until he retired in 2001.
She added that Donald Irwin was very always active and shared a story about a time she and several others went to hike Parker’s P-Mountain with him and his wife.
“He just climbed it with ease,” Schwab said. “It was hard for me, and I’m 20 years younger.”
Jay Irwin also spoke about how active his brother always seemed to be saying he and his wife hiked the Appalachian Trail together, rode a tandem bike from Canada to Mexico on trip and from California to the East Coast on another.
Prior to being elected to his La Paz Superior Court bench seat, Donald Irwin served as a prosecutor for the Yuma County Attorney’s Office and eventually was elected to Yuma County Attorney.
A Yuma native and 1962 graduate of Yuma High School, Donald Irwin served in U.S. Army and received a degree in law from Arizona State University.
Donald Irwin is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Phylis Irwin, mother Roberta Crowder, brothers Jay and Allen Irwin, sister Bobbie Jo Daniels, daughter Gina Poor, son John Irwin and several grandchildren. No service times have been announced yet.