http://www.statenews.com 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. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:49:26 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21046 While 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. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:20:32 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21046 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21050 Does 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. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:56:27 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21050 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21052 Remember me? Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:22:47 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21052 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21053 I feel sorry for his parents, they must be heart broken. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:53:40 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21053 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21058 bah – 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. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:46:55 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21058 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21064 What a waste of a life! Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:19:11 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21064 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21069 so many fatal accidents on 127 lately :( Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:46:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21069 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21198 Strange 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. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:27:25 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21198 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21247 Thank you so much for letting all of us read that email. We need everyone praying for Melissa and her family Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:45:18 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21247 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21281 Our 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. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21281 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21308 Melissa 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.” Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:23:03 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21308 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21310 Lots 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. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:37:32 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21310 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21440 I pray that Melissa will be all right and I pray for the both families! Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:20:11 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21440 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21513 were those two dating? Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:24:40 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21513 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21705 “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? Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:29:29 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21705 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21734 yes, 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. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:44:21 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21734 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21749 it 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. whether or not there was drinking/or drugs, clearly, they were on the road side of the highway driving for whatever reason, taking one of their precious lives, seriously injuring self and by the grace of God, didn’t kill my son. SO, truth about this accident will come out. and in the meantime, be prepared. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:49:26 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/21749