Scott was the first to fall, prompting his grandson to call 911. In an effort to help Scott, the teenager also fell into the icy water. Fortunately, a nearby individual quickly came to their aid, and both were transported to the hospital.
The young boy received treatment and was later discharged; however, 66-year-old Scott developed hypothermia and was in critical condition. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries on December 31.
While Scott was hospitalized, his wife Marylou died in a different accident.
The day after Scott’s fall, Marylou went to Lake George to retrieve her husband’s vehicle. She was a backseat passenger in a car when a 19-year-old driver crossed the center line and collided with the vehicle Marylou was in, for unknown reasons.
Marylou lost her life in the crash, and three others were injured, including the driver of the other vehicle.
Both Marylou and Scott were 66 years old and had been married for 40 years, as reported by WXYZ Detroit.
A long-time friend of Scott’s, Jamie Izzo, spoke to the news outlet, describing Scott as “one of the best human beings I’ve ever met in my life” and a “great friend.”
Jamie, who worked with Scott for two decades at South Lyon Middle School, shared: “The kids loved him. He was a great teacher. If I could remember, one of his lines was exactly, ‘Don’t mistake my being nice for being weak.’”
In a statement on social media, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard referred to Scott and Marylou’s deaths as an “unspeakable tragedy.”
“This is an unspeakable tragedy that has befallen this family in a very short time,” he said. “Two tragic and unrelated incidents within 24 hours of each other. It’s hard to comprehend. Our prayers are with the family.”