Jeanette Rumptz, 80, and Janet Lough, 76, killed and several people injured in crash involving parade float on Turill and Clark Roads in Lapeer Township, Michigan

Modified Date: 
Tue, 10/06/2015 - 10:38am
Accident Date: 
Saturday, August 23, 2014

Person killed in parade float crash identified as 80-year-old Metamora woman

Lapeer County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Jason Parks said Rumptz stopped for a stop sign, then entered the intersection while performing a left turn to head northbound on Clark Road. Rumptz then pulled into the path of the specialized parade float driven by 83-year-old Gerald Butterfield that was traveling southbound on Clark Road.

One dead after parade float crashes in Lapeer Township on way to Metamora Country Days

The woman driving the turning vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, Parks said. Seven people were ejected from the back of the float, two of them were taken to an area hospital and were listed in serious condition with life-threatening injuries.

Woman dies after parade float, car collide

The truck float, which resembles a steam locomotive but is legal for the road, was heading to the Metamora Days Parade.

2nd woman dies after parade vehicle crash

Lapeer County sheriff's officials said Wednesday that 76-year-old Janet Lough of Lapeer died the day before at a hospital. Lough was among two critically injured in the Saturday crash in Lapeer Township that also claimed the life of 80-year-old Jeanette Rumptz.
The modified float is a a 1960s Dodge truck converted to look like a train. The parade float involved in the accident is from La Societe des Quarente Hommes et Huit Chevaux, or The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses, Lapeer Chapter. The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses is well known around mid-Michigan for bringing the train-style floats to parades. According to the organization's website, during WWI, French railroad boxcars carried U.S. troops to battle. The boxcars, which held either 40 men or eight horses were painted with "40/8" on them.
Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Jeanette Rumptz
Gerald Butterfield
Janet Lough
City: 
Lapeer, MI

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