1 student dead, 1 hospitalized after crash
By Abby Lubbers and Thea Neal (Last updated: 08/24/08 11:33pm)One MSU student is dead and another was still in critical condition Sunday evening following a late-night accident along U.S. 127 on Wednesday.
At about 1:30 a.m., chemistry junior Joe Barton and interdisciplinary studies in social sciences junior Melissa Rumrill, who were riding in the same car, were part of a three-car crash. Barton, 20, was pronounced dead at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital following the accident.
Lansing police said there is nothing at this time to make them suspect alcohol was a factor in the accident, but friends of Barton say both he and Rumrill, 19, were drinking the night of the crash.
“They were both drinking — definitely heavily enough — a half gallon between the two of them,” said Chris Bender, a physiology junior, who was friends with both victims and Barton’s roommate.
Officials have not released who was driving the vehicle.
“There was nothing at the scene to make us think that alcohol was related,” Lansing police Lt. Noel Garcia said. “A much further in-depth report is needed to find out if that is the case.”
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and police are waiting on blood tests and toxicology reports.
As police continue to look into the crash, the families of both victims are dealing with its effects.
Rumrill’s mother, Deb Ziegler, said she wants people to stop speculating about what caused the crash.
The family did not wish to elaborate on Rumrill’s situation.
Kathleen Barton said her son was a charming jokester, always showing the lighter side of something serious.
“He was funny, he loved to joke,” she said. “He was a closet full of confidence.”
Barton also said her son’s personality wasn’t the only thing notable about him.
“He was always dressed for the occasion. Even at a semiformal, he had his necktie on,” she said.
Matt and Chris Bender, twins and roommates of Joe Barton, spent the last nine years as best friends with the 20-year-old.
“He’s probably the most respectable guy of anyone I ever knew,” said Matt Bender, a physiology junior. “He’s willing to give a chance to anybody.”
On Saturday, friends and family gathered in the Barton family’s backyard in Saline, Mich., to celebrate Joe Barton’s life.
“It was beautiful. We had way over 250 people show up,” Chris Bender said. “We had 250 chairs, and there were a lot of people standing.”
Originally Published: 08/24/08 11:13pm
Melanie Magara
08/25/08 11:20amWhile it is natural to seek answers and assess blame in tragedies of this nature, it is entirely uncharitable for casual readers to weigh in with speculative comments attacking the victims. Joe Barton was a young man of great character who will be greatly missed by all of us who loved him. His life will not be defined by the circumstances of his death. Yes, we must learn from this tragedy. Yes, our legal system may eventually hold someone responsible. But today, we simply grieve for the loss of a wonderful, loving, generous person who left us too soon.
Brooke
08/25/08 12:56pmDoes the article even say they were responsible for the crash? Regardless of if they had been drinking or not, this is horrible for the families. At least have some respect for them.
Josh Hancock
08/25/08 1:22pmRemember me?
PaulD
08/25/08 1:53pmI feel sorry for his parents, they must be heart broken.
Gary
08/25/08 3:46pmbah – while no argument that people should not drive drunk, what an unthinkable thing to say that you have no sympathy.
A family lost their son, a group of young adults lost a friend and having known Joe Barton personally for several years the world lost one of the most repected young men I know. You would have been lucky to know Joe and maybe he would have rubbed off on you a little teaching you to show more respect to others.
tanfan
08/25/08 5:19pmWhat a waste of a life!
omg...
08/25/08 9:46pmso many fatal accidents on 127 lately :(
Chimera
08/27/08 10:27pmStrange when someone you know personally, someone you actually went to school with, almost dies. I’ll have to ask some questions, get some more details…surreal.
KTabala
08/28/08 1:45pmThank you so much for letting all of us read that email. We need everyone praying for Melissa and her family
CHerrick
08/29/08 12:00amOur hearts are filled with sorrow and sympathy for both families. Melissa is a wonderful girl and we hope and pray that she will have a speedy recovery. I pray that God will give both families strength through this most difficult time.
Lauren
08/29/08 9:23amMelissa is/has been one of my closest friends for over ten years. I ask you all to pray for her, and Joe’s family, through all of this. Melissa is a VERY strong young woman and I have the utmost confidence that she will pull through this.
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
headscratching
08/29/08 9:37amLots of conflicting information being tossed about…
- No alcohol – half gallon of alcohol – He was driving – She was driving – they crossed the median – they were going the wrong way – they we going the right way, just collided with other cars
For the families peace of mind I would hope that they have, or will get, the real story from the police reports and toxicology reports. Not that it will lessen their loss any, but at least put all the conjecture to rest so the healing can begin.
Rose
09/02/08 11:20amI pray that Melissa will be all right and I pray for the both families!
anonymous
09/02/08 10:24pmwere those two dating?
hmmmm
09/05/08 10:29am“but we do know that alcohol was not a factor.” – hmmm that seems hard to believe seeing that one of Joe’s best friends said that they were both drinking heavily. Seems like it might play a small factor. And what about the other two cars, did anyone else who wasn’t drinking get hurt in this accident?
anonymous2
09/05/08 3:44pmyes, they were dating.
People in the other cars were taken to the hospital and released the next day.
My guess is from a lawsuit standpoint that making the no alcohol statement is the prudent answer if asked. Seems like Chris Bender’s parents or lawyers would have told him that ‘no comment’ would have been a better answer at the time.
his mom
09/05/08 5:49pmit appears to me that a lot of important information regarding this accident is elusive. we were not givin any information regarding who to call during his hospitalization and when he was discharged home until i called around a few days and what pieces i gathered had to call the police instead of the police calling me. ISN’T THIS ODD. as the mother of one who was injured, i find the comments of some on this blog sad.
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