Royal Oak

Local middle school siblings dead after rollover

By Chris Jackett
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Jordan Siegel, 14 Jordan Siegel, 14 Ashley Siegel, 11 0 Ashley Siegel, 11

Two young Royal Oak residents are dead and the person responsible is still on the loose.

Siblings Jordan Siegel, 14, and Ashley Siegel, 11, died at the scene of a rollover automobile accident at 2:53 p.m. June 22 when their stepmother, Dawn Siegel, swerved the family’s white 1999 Ford Expedition to avoid a light gray Honda Odyssey that had drifted over into their lane and sideswiped them on southbound US-23 at Textile Road, near the Michigan Avenue entrance ramp.

The Expedition, traveling in the left lane of the two-lane freeway, flipped over into the center median as the Odyssey, driven by an unknown woman in her 40s, continued driving southbound despite heavy front-end damage.

Police continue to search for the hit-and-run Odyssey, which had a temporary paper license plate in the rear window.

The accident resulted in the death of the two children and the hospitalization of four of the five other people in the vehicle. Others in the vehicle, who like Jordan and Ashley were all wearing seat belts, included Chris Siegel, Madison Owens, Erica Fox and Brooklyn Fox. Owens was listed in critical condition and required surgery, three others were listed as unstable and hospitalized, and a 1-year-old toddler was released to grandparents after a children’s seat protected it from more severe injury. Depending on the severity of their injuries, the passengers were transported to University of Michigan Hospital or St. Joseph Mercy, both in Ann Arbor.

Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, five Huron Valley Ambulance paramedic units and a supervisor from HVA all responded to the crash, which closed down US-23 at Michigan Avenue for several hours.

“There were quite a few bystanders that came down to the scene to help,” said Joyce Williams, HVA public affairs manager.

Jordan and Ashley Siegel were both Royal Oak Middle School students who were involved in various sports and activities while living with their mother in Royal Oak. They also spent time with their father and his family in Novi.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Michigan State Police’s Brighton Regional Post at (810) 227-1051. The Michigan State Police tip line is also available at (866) 638-4847.

Funeral services for the brother and sister are scheduled for noon June 26 at The Dorfman Chapel, 30440 W. 12 Mile, in Farmington. For more information on the arrangements or to view obituaries, visit www.thedorfmanchapel.com/recentList.php.

Royal Oak Youth Assistance has set up a Jordan Siegel Scholarship Fund in memory of the eldest of the two deceased siblings. Donations can be sent to 225 S. Troy St., Suite 10, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Call the ROYA at (248) 546-8282 for more information.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Chris Jackett at cjackett@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1110.