Michigan's Catholic community is rallying Saturday around six young children whose parents were tragically killed by a wrong-way driver in a stolen car.
It was early on the morning of January 6th when Ryan and Jenn Ambrosio of Farmington Hills were heading home from a date night. fatally hit Angel Melendez Ortiz, 35, was actively fleeing from police in a stolen Ford truck, the Detroit News reported.
The fiery crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. shortly after Michigan State Police arrived at a gas station on Eight Mile Road and observed a 2006 Ford Super Duty truck being carjacked at the Civic Center. -The incident occurred on the Lodge Freeway near the drive.
Officers tried to pull Melendez-Ortiz over, but he fled the scene at more than 100 mph, police said.
“The pursuit continued north toward Lodge, and the suspect continued north to Telegraph Road,” the newspaper reported, adding that the suspect drove the wrong way on an exit ramp and turned off his headlights before entering the freeway. He added that he was driving recklessly.
Police said Melendez-Ortiz continued driving the wrong way with his lights off until he crashed into Ambrosios' 2011 GMC Terrain.
The driver of the carjacked car was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, and the couple died at the scene. Ryan was only 45 and Jen was 43.
They are leave 6 children Ages 2 to 9, according to the Detroit Catholic.
Brandi Burke is Jen Ambrosio's cousin. Fundraising activities We raised more than $500,000 in just five days to help newly orphaned children.
“They were so loved by so many of us,” Burke wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Their families, friends, churches and community organizations are reeling from this shocking loss.”
Support has been pouring in from the family's church community at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington Hills.
“The greatest impact of this tragedy has been (and continues to be) our six young children: Amelia, Maria Grace, Faustina, Benedict, Rafael and Julian,” the grieving family wrote on the donation page. I wrote it down. “Children in the age group of 2 to 9 years have to navigate the ups and downs of life without their parents by their side.”
Burke added that the family is “incredibly grateful for the outpouring of prayers, hugs, kind words, tears shared and meals provided so far.”
She also stated that the six children will continue to be raised together by the family.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald charged Melendez-Ortiz with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of fleeing or eluding police resulting in death, two counts of reckless driving causing death, and two counts of operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
The suspect is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment.
