Ashley Stopczynski, 33, of Columbus East, IL, tragically lost her life following a severe car accident in Michigan last Thursday. The accident, which occurred on Scottville Road, north of Conrad Road, involved a head-on collision between a Ford Expedition SUV and a Ford F-150 pickup truck towing a pontoon boat. Ashley was traveling with her parents, Carl "Fuzzy Bear" Stopczynski, 61, and Melinda Stopczynski, 67, both of whom sustained critical injuries.
According to reports, a 16-year-old driver from Scottville was behind the wheel of the Ford Expedition that crossed the centerline, leading to the collision. All four individuals involved in the crash were initially transported to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of their injuries, Carl and Melinda Stopczynski were later airlifted to a trauma center in Grand Rapids, where they remain in critical care.
The incident, which did not involve alcohol, drugs, or distracted driving, has left the Stopczynski family and their community in deep grief. The loss of Ashley, known for her generosity and passion, has particularly impacted her peers from SMC and the Belles Voix group, where she was highly regarded.
Rich Stopczynski, a relative, shared his grief on Facebook, stating, "Three dear members of the Stopczynski family; Carl, his wife Melinda, and their daughter Ashley were involved in a terrible car accident last Thursday. We are all grieving the loss of Ashley, who we lost on Saturday. But we wish strength and healing to Carl & Melinda who are in a critical care trauma center in Grand Rapids."
The community has come together to support the Stopczynski family during this difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Lauren Murphy has been set up to assist with the family’s medical expenses and funeral costs. In her post, Erica Grounds expressed her condolences, saying, "My thoughts and prayers to you all! My son was telling me about this last night. Big hugs to you!!"
Others, including Kenneth Chlebowski and Kathy ‘Hanyzewski’ Bella, have also offered their prayers and support. "I will pray for healing," Kenneth commented, while Kathy added, "I’m so sorry Rich. Love and prayers for your family."
As the Stopczynski family navigates this devastating loss, the community’s outpouring of love and support serves as a reminder of the strength found in unity during times of tragedy. The family is asking for continued prayers for Carl and Melinda as they fight for their recovery.