David W. Flood was riding his lawn mower along W. Labo Road on Sunday evening when everything went wrong. The 73-year-old Carleton resident was heading east along the grassy shoulder just past Woodslee Drive.
It was right around 6:19 p.m. when the accident happened. Flood was driving an orange and black Scag Freedom Z 48-inch zero-turn mower. That stretch of W. Labo Road drops off sharply along the side into a deep ditch.
While the mower was moving, Flood lost control on the steep embankment. The machine tipped sideways and flipped upside down into the ditch.
The heavy mower came to rest right at the bottom, trapping Flood underneath. He had no way to pull himself out from under the machine.
Passersby called 911, sending emergency crews rushing to the scene in Ash Township. Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies were the first to arrive, followed by local volunteer firefighters and paramedics.
Responders from the Ash Township Volunteer Fire Department and Monroe Community Ambulance pulled Flood free. They tried to give emergency aid, but he had already suffered fatal injuries from the crash.
First responders pronounced Flood dead at the site. Sheriff’s deputies confirmed he was not wearing a safety belt at the time and noted that alcohol was not involved.
Members of the Victim Services Unit and a chaplain were brought in to assist family and witnesses at the scene. Lieutenant Brian Quinn, Sergeant Cody Carena, and Deputy Hunter Chirillo are leading the investigation. Anyone with information can call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 734-240-7725.
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