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GREENSBORO — The mother of a woman who drowned in a rain-swollen McLeansville creek during Wednesday night’s storms believes her daughter might have been trying to retrieve her moped.

Roseanne Marie Minton Tippett, 50, of 7695 N.C. 61 North in Browns Summit drowned about 7 p.m. Wednesday after jumping into the creek near Northeast Middle School in the 6700 block of McLeansville Road, authorities said.
 

The incident began when a Highway Patrol trooper blocked traffic because water was covering the road, according to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators report that Tippett, who was riding a moped, rode past the trooper, lost control and went into the creek.
The trooper, who has not been identified, retrieved a rope from his vehicle and pulled Tippett to safety.

 While interviewing her, the trooper suspected Tippett had been drinking alcohol. When he went to his vehicle to retrieve something, Tippett jumped back into the creek.

The trooper tried to save the woman a second time, but she was swept under the fast-moving floodwaters, the sheriff’s office said. The woman’s body was recovered about 8:30 p.m. about 300 yards downstream.

Tippett’s mother, Marie Minton, said Thursday she believes her daughter jumped into the creek because she thought she could retrieve her moped.

“I think she thought she could get it and she thought it would be all right,” Minton said.

Minton said her daughter had called home from an area convenience store just as the heavy rain began.

She said she urged Tippett to remain at the store until the rain subsided, but her daughter brushed off her advice.
 

“She said, 'My moped has two rubber wheels, Mom; I’ll be fine,’” Minton said, noting that her daughter may have had a beer at the store. 

Minton said her daughter may have been scared the trooper would suspect her drinking and that may be why she ran the roadblock.

Tippett lost her driver’s license two years ago because of a DWI charge, her mother said. She bought two mopeds so she could get around. State law does not require scooter drivers to be licensed.

“She loved that thing,” Minton said. “She said 'I don’t think I would bother with a car again; this is easier.’”  

In addition to her mother, Tippett leaves behind a husband and an 11-year-old son, Minton said.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com