Student drowns after SUV plunges into Red Cedar
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Watson
Lansing — An MSU student died after drowning and suffering from severe hypothermia Tuesday when his sport utility vehicle went off a Lansing bridge ramp and into the Red Cedar River.
Jeremy Watson, a 21-year-old interdisciplinary studies in social science and health studies junior, died after the Mercury Mountaineer he was driving went off a cement ramp leading to a bridge guardrail and plunged into the Red Cedar at about 12:50 p.m., Lansing police said Wednesday.
An autopsy completed Wednesday confirmed the cause of death, Ingham County Medical Examiner Dean Sienko said.
Watson’s roommate, 20-year-old economics junior Shawn Wiltfong, suffered a broken rib, bruised lung and minor facial lacerations from the fall, said Brent Sielinski, president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, of which Wiltfong is a member.
Wiltfong, the only passenger in the car, was released from the Sparrow Hospital Wednesday afternoon, a hospital official confirmed.
Before the crash, Watson and Wiltfong were driving to the Goodwill Retail Store, 6250 S. Cedar St., in Lansing, to get clothes for MTV Night, a Greek Week dance competition, Sielinski said.
The car was heading south on Cedar Street when it swerved off the four-lane road, catapulted into the air and landed in the middle of the Red Cedar, police said.
“I heard a loud bang and all of the sudden I had seen a car in the air,” said Ismael Guajardo, an employee at the Kwik Car Wash in Lansing, located a few hundred feet north of the river.
Lansing police Chief Mark Alley said there is “preliminary information” about what caused Watson to swerve the car, but he did not specify what type of evidence police have.
Tuesday night, Lansing police Sgt. Del Kostanko said a tire was flat when the car was pulled from the river a few hours after the crash. It is not known whether the flat tire contributed to the crash.
After the car plunged into the river, an off-duty Lansing police officer and Lansing resident Ryan Kowalk jumped into the river to help Watson and Wiltfong.
“When I arrived, (Wiltfong) was already on the roof of the vehicle and it was obvious he was in distress,” said Kowalk, 30, who suffered minor abrasions and lost his wedding ring during the rescue attempt. “Once he stated the fact that his roommate was in the vehicle, I knew somebody had to do something.”
Kowalk, who was at Kwik Car Wash before the crash, said he swam through about 20 yards of frigid water and pulled Watson out of the car. He then swam to the river shore with Watson, who appeared to be unconscious, and handed him to the three Lansing police officers on the scene.
After escaping from the car on his own, Wiltfong later swam to the shore and was transferred to Sparrow Hospital along with Watson, Lansing police Lt. Noel Garcia said.
Hospital employees worked to revive Watson for several hours before he was pronounced dead Tuesday evening.
Watson’s father and brother drove from their Chicago-area home and Wiltfong’s mother drove from her Flint home to Lansing after the accident, Sielinski said. Several friends and family members visited Wiltfong throughout the day, he said.
Funeral arrangements had not yet been made as of Wednesday afternoon, Sielinski said.
Staff writer Kyle Feldscher contributed to this report.
Commentary
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Kirkland Dawson
(02/25/09 1:33am)Report
Both the driver and passenger were very good friends of mine. The driver was one of the realest persons that I had ever known. We lost a good one today. RIP J. You will be missed.
Sam
(02/25/09 5:57am)Report
R.I.P. J- You were so young. I am in complete disbelief.
God has a bigger plan for you.
Alum
(02/25/09 8:40am)Report
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families and loved ones. I’m so very sorry for your loss. God Bless you in this very difficult time.
Terrance O
(02/25/09 9:33am)Report
J you will always be remembered in our minds and our hearts. People cherish life and be thankful for the friendships and bonds that u create, because at the end of the day life is so precious and too often taken for granted.My thoughts and prayers are with your family ,friends, and anyone who had the chance to meet such a wonderful person. God Bless
RIP
(02/25/09 12:04pm)Report
Just saw this on the local news – pretty tragic.
What is with all the sudden deaths of MSU students? That is what, like 4, in the last month? It’s rough….
Abigail
(02/25/09 12:36pm)Report
So sad … my prayers are with the family and friends.
John A
(02/25/09 1:01pm)Report
For everyone who knew him, his friends, his roommates, his family.
RIP Jdubs
MCB
(02/25/09 2:19pm)Report
My prayers are with the friends and family of Jeremy Watson, so sorry for their loss. I am also praying for a full recovery for Shawn Wiltfong.
Nic
(02/25/09 4:13pm)Report
J- I miss you. Thanks for being part of my life.
Kate
(02/25/09 5:38pm)Report
God, J I love you, you made such a great friend and a huge impact on my life. Thanks for teaching me what you did.
Greg Konopka
(02/25/09 9:56pm)Report
I’ve known Jeremy since I came to MSU and became really good friends with him. We’ve had a lot of good times together and it’s hard to believe that he’s gone now. Life is too fragile and unpredictable.
Rest easy.
Yep
(02/26/09 11:55am)Report
Yet another reason why SUVs are ugly, gratuitous monstrosities on the road.
Has
(02/26/09 4:59pm)Report
J was truely a great human being. If anyone has any information about the funeral please post it.
Moe Mutaqabbir
(02/26/09 6:59pm)Report
It is very tragic what happened to J but we all must pray for him and his family because now He is at a better place. God Bless his Soul.
I received the information for his funeral from his family and it is as follows:
Thursday March 5, 2009
Bethlehem Temple M/B Church
14701 S.Ashland
Harvey, IL 60426
Look the church information up and call them for the funeral time.
Mike Lucia
(02/27/09 2:21pm)Report
God Bless all of Jeremy’s family and friends. I grew up and played baseball with Jeremy in Glenwood. It is tough losing a loved one in an accident I know firsthand I experienced it last October. Love and prayers to all!
Justin Capps
(02/27/09 3:11pm)Report
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Jeremy’s family and friends. I played baseball with him all four years at Bloom. He was a great person and always had me laughing. God has a bigger plan for Jeremy!
Zack Sulski
(02/27/09 3:52pm)Report
J- you were the craziest of the crazy. One that will be missed forever. Too young were taken from us, but I know you playing baseball with the best! Peace and love my man, I will miss you dogg. Glenwood won’t be the same without you…
God Bless…
Melissa/Michelle Jones
(02/27/09 6:27pm)Report
I just found out about this and both my sister and I are in total shock. I havent see J in a long time but my prayers and and condolenses are with his friends and family. May J REST IN PEACE and if anyone hears anything about arrangements please email me
carlsonlatt.netJ you will be very missed!
Ana
(02/27/09 10:39pm)Report
I went to high school and graduated with Jeremy. This is truly unfortunate and I am sorry to hear how he passed away. This is so tragic. God bless his family.
Funeral & Visitation Information
(02/28/09 5:28pm)Report
The funeral and Visitation information can be found in the Blog following the article Remembering J. I hope this helps those that needed the information. God Bless.