Two families have been destroyed by a fatal crash in Macomb County that claimed a mother of four children, who was engaged to be married.
Shawn Barone and Sue Kozak were planning to blend their families. Living just a block away from each other in Clinton Township, their shared seven children would all move in together after the couple's upcoming marriage in Las Vegas in April.
Tragically, the 46-year-old mother was killed instantly just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Kozak was in the center turn lane on southbound Groesbeck north of 15 Mile Road making a left turn to go to V.I.P. Tanning when she may have been hit.
Family says police have a witness, who is providing information indicating a hit-and-run driver booted the rear of Kozak's white Ford F-150 pickup.
Kozak was killed when her truck was launched into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into another Ford pickup, a Ford Escape and a third car. One driver left the scene critically injured, and two other drivers were treated and released.
The family says Kozak's autopsy revealed blunt force trauma from the crash as cause of death.
According to Kozak's finance, she did not drink and he had her cell phone with him, so she was not distracted by texting. He says police are focusing on a possible hit-and-run.
"We need to know. I need this person or persons to come forward," said Barone. "She has four children of her own. I have three. Together we had seven, and we were going to get married April 13."
Kozak's youngest child is seven. The oldest, 19-year-old Shelia, says she is prepared to care for everyone.
Donations for funeral expenses can be made to the Sue Kozak Memorial Fund at any Flagstar Bank branch location.
Kozak's funeral is Monday at Kaul Funeral Home on Garfield in Clinton Township. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m., and the funeral is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
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Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
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Friday, June 14 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:42:43 GMT
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Friday, June 7 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-08 02:33:06 GMT
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
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Monday, May 27 2013 7:01 AM EDT2013-05-27 11:01:40 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
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