Children killed in U.S. 23 rollover crash remembered

"To be next to them as they left this world and comfort them, thank you," said Rachael Smith.

She chocked back tears as she thanked the drivers who stopped to help 14-year-old Jordan Siegel and his eleven-year-old sister, Ashley.  They were two beautiful children taken way too soon in a rollover accident Friday afternoon on U.S. 23.

"They loved each other.  They loved life.  They loved sports.  They loved their parents.  They loved their friends.  They loved to dance and video games, everything," Smith explained.  "They actually loved and respected each other like unconditionally."

The family remembering their loving nature, their fun-loving spirits, their love of sports -- cheerleading and soccer for Ashley and lacrosse, football, basketball and baseball for Jordan.  The Siegel family is so grateful for all the love and support they've received.  They know they're not the only ones hurting.

"The whole community will never be the same," Smith said.  "Life will be different from Friday on.  I don't know what normal will ever be."

Michigan State Police are still looking for the driver of a gray or silver Honda Odyssey with paper license plates.  Police say that Odyssey cut off the Ford Expedition the kids were riding in causing their step-mother to swerve, lose control and roll the SUV.  Inside were four other children, their step-siblings and half-sibling 19-month-old Brooklyn Siegel, who is okay, 14-year-old Madisyn Owens, who is still hospitalized but recovering, Erica and Christopher Fox, both out of the hospital and recovering from broken bones, as is their mother, Dawn Siegel.

"If you know who the person is or you saw something that you might think is that car or that driver, just report it.  This can't go on unanswered," said Smith.

A tragedy so deep -- two children, two students at Royal Oak Middle School.  Two siblings, Jordan and Ashley, together in death as they always were in life.

"They were always together and protected each other and even in the end, I'm sure they were holding hands as they walked into heaven."

The funeral for the children is Tuesday at The Dorfman Chapel in Farmington Hills.

The family is asking donations be made to two charities in Royal Oak that help underprivileged kids plays sports -- Royal Oak Youth Assistance and the Royal Oak Youth Soccer Association.  For more information, you can call Royal Oak Youth Assistance at (248) 546-8282 or visit the Royal Oak Youth Soccer Associations's website at www.roysa.com.