Technology

Embarrassed Mom Falls Into Lake Michigan While Texting

Michigan Mom Falls Off Pier While Texting, Offers Warning to Others

Bonnie Miller returned to the scene of the incident to share her story with the local news.

Teens are often criticized and warned against texting while driving, walking, chewing gum, you name it.  A recent story out of Benton Harbor, Mich., though has one mom turning her own embarrassing gaffe into a lesson to warn everyone of distracted texting.

(Related: Woman falls on her face while texting during live interview)

Bonnie Miller was walking on a Lake Michigan pier in St. Joseph with her husband and son on Monday night, according to ABC 57. It only took a three word text and she was in the water. ABC 57 has more:

“I had set an appointment for the wrong time and so I sent about three words,” Miller described.  “Next thing you know it was the water.”

Miller explained she didn’t realize how close she was to the edge of the pier, she then stumbled after tripping over something and tumbled over into the water.  She and her family estimate she fell at least six-feet into the water.

“Quinn said he just heard me say ‘Oh God’ and then a splash,” she explained.  “When you’re down there and the water is very low and all you see is pier.”

Miller was having trouble staying afloat, her husband Greg jumped into action and dove into the water after her.

“It was very chaotic for a bit,” Greg Miller described.  “I just went for it and gave her a big push towards the side of the channel there.”

Michigan Mom Falls Off Pier While Texting, Offers Warning to Others

ABC 57 reporter shows how easy it would be to get distracted and fall off the pier.

Other bystanders jumped in to help Miller as well.

(Related: Mystery surrounds woman who fell into mall fountain)

Watch the report:

Instead of keeping quiet about the incident, even though Miller said she is “really quiet embarrassed,” she wanted to pipe up to first thank those who helped her out of the water and also to offer a word of warning to multi-tasking texters:

“I couldn’t let pride stand in my way of warning other people to not drive and text or walk and text,” Miller explained.  “It can be dangerous.”

ABC 57 reports that the local police, coast guard, firefighters and state police were called to the scene. Miller, aside from a little blow to her pride, was not seriously injured.

[H/T Gizmodo]

Comments (61)

1 2
  • jeffile
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 10:43am

    I still can’t understand what in the world is so important that one is constantly on a cell phone, and texting one’s every move is certainly a personality disfunction or mental disorder.

    Report Post »  
    • BarackStalin
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 1:47pm

      Beware the cell-phone zombies…

      They’re coming to get you Baaarbara…they’re coming for you Baaarbara…

      Report Post » BarackStalin  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 3:22pm

      Stumbled and fell over something? Sounds like a lawsuit.

      Report Post »  
  • curmudgeon60
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:58am

    I live in the area – growing up in St. Joseph, you learn early and well the dangers of the lake and the pier. It’s VERY easy to stumble or trip out there. The waves also are awesome and dangerous at times on the pier. I THANK YOU BONNIE, for setting your embarrassment aside and speaking out and having such a great sense of humor about it! Thanks to the brave, quick acting young people that helped you along with your loyal hubby Greg!

    Report Post »  
  • jcldwl
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:51am

    even though Miller said she is “really quiet embarrassed,” Shouldn’t this read “quite” not “quiet”? Come people read your own article before posting it. This stuff happens more and more and is really showing of the dumbing down of our society. But, I guess it fits since the article itself is about a person dumb enough to walk off a pier while texting. How long before someone who does something this stupid sues for millions because of their stupidity.

    Report Post » jcldwl  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:43am

    All those Obama voters in Chicago should take a walk along the shore of Lake Michigan and text all their friends to do the same. Lemmings!!!!!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:34am

    Hehe… deserving of such luck and embarrassment. Cell phones bug me. Or at least many peoples infatuation with them does.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 11:16am

      I quit taking my wife out to eat because she spends the whole time sending text messages. I save the money and have quite a stash. Yes!!! I know I have a bigger problem.

      Report Post »  
  • youdidthis
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:18am

    it is called self preservation…and many are lacking any sense of it.

    Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 8:02am

    speaking of people doing stupid things:

    If you live in louisiana – a vote for Newt is a vote for Romney. Make a statement and vote either Santorum or Paul

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 11:18am

      Better still, just vote for Paul because Santorum is a neoconservative and he, Romney, and Newt all have plans in the works for an unnecessary war with Iran. And in case there is any doubt, Obama is also gearing up for a war with Iran as well. Paul is the only one out there with any sense anymore and you can mark my words, no matter who wins this election (unless a miracle is observed and Paul wins or inherits the nomination) our national debt will not decrease or even plateau, we will be pushed to wage war against Iran without having been fired upon, and the value of the dollar will continue on its’ downward spiral of inflation.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 5:18pm

      Hi Louisianna

      One of my favorite A&E programs is Billy the Exterminator. Many of his programs show gators out & about close to lake shores…thank goodness this lady was not texting & walking by a lake shore and fell in the lake where the gators play.Yikes!

      Report Post »  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 7:45am

    Maybe she should sue the owners of Lake Michigan (haha). I see where an 83 year old woman is suing Apple for $1 million after she walked into their clear-glass front door in Manhattan, breaking her fragile, old nose.

    Report Post » disenlightened  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 11:20am

      Reminds me of the lady that bought a motor home and set the cruise control and went back to make a sandwich. She sued the dealership and won.

      Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 5:26pm

      @chips 1

      Hadn’t heard that one…good grief! Reminds me of a cute movie with Robin Williams, RV (I think that is the name of it)…lots of belly laughs. I have a stash of movies I am going to watch over the summer as can’t afford to take any road trips. Guess the best place for a vacation is your own back yard.

      Report Post »  
  • kennyg933
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 7:30am

    Nearly 4 weeks ago in my Wisconsin town, my son’s 11 year old buddy was killed after walking into the path of an oncoming train while on his way to school. He had his headphones on, hood up, head down and never heard the train, never noticed the gate at the intersection down, the car horns, the people yelling “HEY KID, STOP!” and he walked right onto the tracks as the 4000 ton train traveling at 35mph sent him flying 94 feet in the air. This is more of a story than you readers are considering. The moral here is to make awareness for getting our minds out of our technology while we walk or drive. What happened here destroyed a mother and hurt a school and a community, and all because this little boy was so distracted by his technology, that it cost him his life. If that woman was alone, or was a weak swimmer, her distraction could have cost her her life. No law or regulation is wanted or needed, but public service messages and family discussion, YES! 3 weeks after the tragedy, my son was leaving the driveway on his bike, headphones in his ears. I yelled at him and called him by the name of the boy who was killed. He got the message. This time.

    Report Post »  
    • BeingThere
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 9:45am

      It‘s called natural selection and I frakin’ love it!!!

      Report Post » BeingThere  
    • kennyg933
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 11:12am

      Beingthere, may you one day hold your dead child in your hands, you sick piece of garbage.

      Report Post »  
  • grannyrecipe
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 5:51am

    How in the Sam Hill does that make it to the TV news? It’s like “Woman trips over cat…News at 11:00″

    Report Post » grannyrecipe  
  • wboehmer
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 5:24am

    Embarrassed???

    Not enough to keep her from basking in the media attention, I guess.

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 4:15am

    Wait till they get the bills from all those who came to save her.. Then she will really wish she hadn’t texted while walking!! Is texted a word???? LOL

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • KevINtampa
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 3:16am

    P-R-O-P-A-G-A-N-D-A

    Thank God the Coast Guard showed up. We need the EPA to come out and write some regulation for that pier, too dangerous for us sheeple. Instead of thinking on our feet, like maybe tying our shirts and jeans together to throw her and her hubby a line and then getting 5 guys on the pier to pull’em out, we instintively dial 911.

    E-N-D P-R-O-P-A-G-A-N-D-A

    I‘m not saying don’t make the call, but come on people, we’re Americans damn it. 9-1-1 is backup. Yes get them on the line.

    I learned how to make a rope outta clothes as soon as I could ice skate. Actually I learned it before hand and THEN my parents let me on the lake. I must have been 5 or 6. If anybody playing hockey ever fell in, you new EXACTLY what you had to do. Take of your sweaters tie’em together, put all the guys at one end, and one kid ties the rope around his waist and on his belly scurries to the hole to pull his buddy out.

    But now days I guess we tell kids, “If someone falls in run home and dial 9-1-.” And again, yes send a kid to dial 9-1-1, the fastest runner, but for God sakes… THEIR ARRIVAL IS PLAN B, AS IN BACKUP.

    THIS IS WHAT INDEPENDENCE MEANS!

    Soon the 4th of July will be known as Dependence Day if we don’t realize we gotta be better at not being so ill prepared for real life.

    Report Post »  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 3:56am

      Actually now days pond hockey can only be played under strict adult supervision, helmets and pads are required by law, and most lakes now have such strict bylaws because HOA‘s on the lakes are so fearful of lawsuits and they can’t afford the insurance costs because insurance companies are afraid of the litigious nature of the country.

      What happens when parents die, and these kids don’t have Mommy and Daddy?

      Easy, they a are middle aged adults looking for the person that watches them while they act independent. Which makes them heavily dependent.

      I fear that is probably well over 85% of the people I know.

      It’s sad. And just like Bezmenov said it would; it‘s impossible to tell this situation so that’s it’s understood by a recipient of this demoralization. They simply will never accept it. It takes generations to cultivate independence and only three at a max to take it away.

      It’s boring as hell, but people really need to watch, and comprehend, Bezmenov’s lectures; it‘s the only way you’ll ever realize the system that’s gotten us so inept as a people.

      Yuri Bezmenov’s lecture is about 2 hours, and is a PBS type special that ran in the early 80′s. He was a Soviet defector who worked as a propagandist in the USSR. The special is on youtube. There’s also a wikipedia article.

      Just search for Yuri Bezmenov.

      EVERYTHING HE SAID ABOUT WHAT THE REVOLT WILL BE LIKE IS HAPPENING .

      Report Post »  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 7:21am

      It’s the proximity to Canada that has them all confused.

      Report Post » 4xeverything  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:33am

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnf0I2dQ0i0

      Next time do your own research. :-)

      Report Post »  
  • FloridaFarmGirl
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 2:04am

    What is next, a lawsuit for the pier owners (Michigan) for not having proper bumper guards on each side of the railings for idiots? What ever happened to common sense in this country? Who is paying for all of the rescue units called out for this piece of stupidity, the taxpayers of Michigan??

    Report Post »  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 3:32am

      Common sense truly has become an oxymoron here in the states.

      We’re divided. That’s the point sadly. When a people are divided on all lines; whether it be Economical-Political-Religious-Environmentalist-Philosophical-Racial lines, and because of that, of course there’s a lack of common sense.

      Common sense assumes there’s something we agree on; I we have been TRAINED in the name of diversity to believe that.

      Instead of diversity, we should be focussed on ways we can implement university.

      Divide vs. Unify

      In that sense, isn’t it odd that you learn Diversity most at a University.

      University at one point meant the place where people would unify because they would see what they have in common with others; and then follow that path. It should officially be called Diversity now, because now you go and discover how to diversify yourself; and determine what you don’t want to do. This is why students these days switch majors 3or 4 times on regular accordance. It’s hard to find out what you like when you must diversify yourself to the point you ultimately choose what bothers you the least.

      Sad.

      Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 5:44pm

      Walking around the hot pools & other areas of Yellowstone Park, we stayed on the walkways & followed the rules & used common sense.Now the regulations & postings & guardrails & “bumper fences” & just awhole lot of regulations, I stopped going to the park. As far as what we kids did in the 50′s with riding our bikes without a helmet and “riding the mini icebergs” that would break off in a big irrigation ditch we would play around and take an innertube ride down the ditch….that same ditch has signs posted everywhere & has been fenced off….Most of us “babyboomers” have some great stories growing up when government wasn’t telling everyone what to do & not do for reasons to “keep us safe”..My question today is who is going to keep us safe from this big government takeover?

      Report Post »  
  • TheCoffinMaker
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 1:07am

    I‘m surprised her lard ass didn’t trigger a tsunami.

    Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 24, 2012 at 1:05am

    Wow, six feet that one big fall into water, now I realize the hundred feet we jumped of cliffs when I was a child meant nothing compared to six feet. The U.S Marines would have been a big help too, they should have called them out.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • OverFiend
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:49pm

    When i was a teenager i was fishing with some friends and we went to the marinea to get gas and i was walking along the dock watching a guy scrap the barnicels bottom of a boat and i walked right off the dock and fell into the water it was embarrassing but then we all had a good laugh got back in the boat and went back to fishing. it was quite a surprize…

    Report Post » OverFiend  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:40pm

    ummm okay getting back to the story…this would be me…I try not to text while walking… let alone driving…thank goodness her hubby was with her (I got one of them heros too) and her fellow Minnesotians!

    Report Post » godlovinmom  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:25pm

    so…I said something to the jerk!

    Zudhi Jasser is a Moderate Muslim. you can be devout without being radical. how many devout catholics or christians are there? how many blow stuff up? Either you do not understand faith. or you are a radical yourself. It is wrong to paint with a broad stroke brush! You claim Americanb values? well, how about innocent until proven guilty? or is he too dark to be american in your limited, biased book? Let me explain a little bit about american values to you, since obviously you grew up in a cave without a TV set….about 30 years ago there was a cartoon series educating children on saturday mornings called schoolhouse rock, and one of their spots was the great American melting pot. where people of all creeds and colors came from their various points of origin, wearing their specific clothes, and maintaining their specific customs, but all diving into a pot shaped like the united states, and swimming happily together. They all pull out american flags and wave them. the concept being, we can all have our individuality, maintain that which makes us unique, but it only works if the individual accepts the idea that we are american first. That we believe in and promote the ideals of justice for all, equality without fear of discrimination for race religion sex age economic status or any of the other divisive tactics used by every radical group that attempts to divide and conquer. you sir, by your obvious baseless judgement, since you yourself adm

    Report Post » Teabunny  
  • texanpatriot
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:17pm

    Slow news day?

    Report Post » texanpatriot  
    • justangry
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 7:47am

      It’s never a slow news day, just some news doesn’t fit their narrative.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:17pm

    Guess we need another Nanny State law outlawing Texting while breathing.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:29pm

      We had 6 auto acc. this week
      texting
      See them walking on the street likeing watching reruns

      WALKING DEAD

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:45pm

      And, paint all the Store Front Windows… Black… to prevent Gawking & Driving!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:07pm

    http://muccings.blogspot.com/ “Moderate Muslim” analogies starring Zudhi Jasser ….someone should check this guy out.

    Report Post » Teabunny  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:06pm

    Hey guys…ran across a blog site I do not like! listen to this!
    Sunday, March 18, 2012

    “Moderate Muslim” analogies starring Zudhi Jasser
    Zudhi Jasser is the moderte Muslim darling of conservatives, including FOX News.

    Dr. Jasser’s actions reflect his words – he walks his talk. He is indeed a “moderate among moderates” among Muslims.

    But here is the confusing part: He is self-described as a “devout Muslim.”

    Islam revolves around the teachings and life of Muhammad. One cannot be a devout Muslim without being a follower of Muhammad. Muslims cherish Muhammad and his life as much as Christians cherish Jesus Christ.

    But isn’t Muhammad the one who authored the Qur’an, the whole Qur’an, including the violent, supremacist, intolerant, Jew and infidel-hating parts that abrogate the peaceful, tolerant parts? Doesn’t that book, and the life Muhammad, serve as the model of behavior for Muslims? And doesn’t that book, and the life of Muhammad teach all the things that are contrary to Judeo-Christian morality, including lying (taqiyya), the subjugation of women, polygamy, the treatment of the “infidel” as inferior, intolerance toward other faiths and gays, honor killings, and a myriad of other behaviors that are considered “atrocities” from a western perspective?

    Yet Jasser insists he is a “devout Muslim.”

    Here are a few analogies to try on for size:

    In the early 40’s there were Nazis and there were devout Nazis.

    Report Post » Teabunny  
    • Celeste.Christi
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:30pm

      Oxymoron.
      There’s no such thing as a Moderate Muslim.

      Report Post » Celeste.Christi  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 6:21am

      Moderate Muslim…that will someday want to convert you or kill you. Go ahead, fall into that trap fool..

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Gorp
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 10:56pm

    Duh!!

    Report Post » Gorp  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 10:54pm

    I can see the text: “Where’s the water?” (Splash).

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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