In a heart-wrenching succession of events, Scott and Mary Lou Levitan from Livonia met their untimely demise just days apart, casting a pall of grief over their family and community.
At a Glance
- A suburban Detroit couple passed away in separate accidents, days apart, between Christmas and New Year’s.
- Scott Levitan fell through a frozen lake ice while ice fishing, leading to his removal from life support.
- The next day, Mary Lou Levitan died in a car accident while believed to be on her way to retrieve Scott’s vehicle.
- The separate tragedies devastated their family and resonated deeply with the local community.
Unfolding Tragedy in Livonia
A sequence of unfortunate incidents led to the deaths of Scott and Mary Lou Levitan, both aged 66, shortly after Christmas. As the news began to ripple through their close-knit Livonia community, many struggled to process the enormity of the double tragedy. On December 26, Scott fell through the ice of a small lake in Addison Township while ice fishing with his grandson.
His grandson heroically attempted a rescue after calling 911, but fell in as well before a local resident saved him. Help arrived swiftly, with a nearby resident using a kayak to keep Scott’s head above water until emergency crews could extract him.
A suburban Detroit husband and wife have died days apart after separate accidents between Christmas and New Year’s Day. https://t.co/QW0o4RwZFi
— KSWO7News (@KSWO_7NEWS) January 4, 2025
Mary Lou’s Car Accident
The day following Scott’s accident, Mary Lou embarked on a journey believed to be for retrieving her husband’s vehicle. At that moment, the 19-year-old driver crossed into her lane and collided with her car, claiming her life at the scene. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash and its circumstances.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy that has befallen this family in a very short time” – Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard
The tragic backdrops of their individual fates have raised community awareness about road safety and ice lake precautions. People’s empathetic responses highlight communal bonds that offer comfort during such turbulent times.
Community’s Heartfelt Support
The Levitans’ hometown of Livonia, situated west of Detroit, has proven its supportive spirit as it comes together to honor the couple remembered for their warmth and commitment to family. Words of encouragement and condolences flow from every corner of the neighborhood.
The casualties, while profoundly personal, echo a sharpened resolve among residents to cherish fleeting moments with loved ones. As the community rallies in response to this loss, a new year begins under the shadow of sorrow but not without the light of shared compassion.
