SOUTHFIELD, Michigan – A devastating tragedy struck a Michigan family when a suspected wrong-way driver crashed into their vehicle, resulting in the death of a couple known for their active participation in their local church community.
Jen and Ryan Ambrosio, aged 43 and 45, were on their way back from a date night when the fatal head-on collision took place on the Lodge Freeway. The couple, parents to six children, were deeply involved in the Our Lady Sorrow Catholic Church in Farmington, where they were well-known and loved by the congregation.
Following the crash, community members, such as Noriko Ernst, were left reeling from the shocking news of the Ambrosios’ deaths. Ernst, who plays the piano for the church’s Sunday mass, described the couple as gentle, patient, and a positive influence on the entire church family.
The driver, identified as 35-year-old Angel Melendez-Ortiz, was allegedly attempting to evade law enforcement at the time of the collision. Authorities reported that he had switched off his vehicle’s lights and was driving in the wrong direction on the freeway in a stolen pickup truck. As a result of the crash, Jen and Ryan Ambrosio lost their lives, while Melendez-Ortiz and his 29-year-old female passenger sustained injuries and were hospitalized.
Angel Melendez-Ortiz now faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and reckless driving. If convicted, he could potentially face a sentence of life in prison, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
The devastating impact of the couple’s untimely death has left their community in mourning, as they remember Jen and Ryan’s loving nature and the positive influence they had on those around them. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless and irresponsible actions on the road.