In June of 2025, the music community was rocked by the loss of a major talent, and this individual died in a major Cobb County car accident. The individual in question was a member of the timeless group “Kool & the Gang,” and he died at the age of 71. This incident highlights how dangerous roads can be in Cobb County. Although this particular accident is notable because of the celebrity victim, many other people die each year due to similar collisions.
Cobb County Police Department Reports Fatal Crash on Veterans Memorial Highway
In June of 2025, Cobb County Police reported a fatal crash on Veterans Memorial Highway. Although the authorities did not name any names, it soon became common knowledge that the single deceased victim was a former member of Kool & the Gang called “Chicago Mike” – also known as Michael Sumler.
The fatal accident occurred shortly before midnight. Police say that the victim was driving his Nissan 370Z down Veterans Memorial Highway when he veered into the path of a Kia heading in the opposite direction. Amazingly, the driver of the Kia was completely uninjured in the collision. However, the 71-year-old victim suffered fatal injuries in the head-on collision, and he was ultimately pronounced dead by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation, and it is not clear why the victim veered into oncoming traffic. However, it is important not to jump to conclusions. The crash may not have been his fault, and he might have veered out of his lane due to a medical emergency. Alternatively, he might have lost control of his vehicle due to a mechanical issue outside of his control.
The Mayor of Mableton issued a public statement regarding the musician’s death, noting that “he will be missed.” Many other people issued public statements regarding the tragedy, including his fellow musicians and other celebrities. He was the last surviving member of Kool & the Gang, having originally founded the group as a bassist.
Veterans Memorial Highway Can Be Dangerous
Veterans Memorial Highway has certainly seen its fair share of crashes over the years, and this incident certainly will not be the last. However, it may be one of the most memorable accidents due to the involvement of the celebrity victim. The road was once known as Bankhead Highway, and it was first created during the early 1900s as a project to connect Atlanta, Memphis, and Birmingham.
Although this incident generated considerable buzz around the nation and even the world, it’s important to remember that every traffic death in Cobb County is tragic. Whether the victim is a celebrity or an average, hard-working American, each crash deserves the same level of attention and concern.
The hope is that this incident will convince local governments to make safety improvements to the highway. Perhaps a median barrier would have prevented the victim’s vehicle from drifting into oncoming traffic. Whatever the case may be, an improvement to the highway would at least provide some meaning to the victim’s death beyond his incredible music career.