Fundraiser planned for father and son killed in a violent collision on I-75 in Southwest Detroit

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The horrendous wreckage of an accident claimed the lives of 24 year old, Leslie Rockymore and his 2 year old son, Amare, on I-75 in Southwest Detroit on August 22, 2011.

Witnesses say it’s a sight and a sound they will never forget.

"It sounded like a bomb went off", said Maria Walkenbach. It looked that way as well judging by what was left of the Ford conversion van that crumpled like foil after rear ending a semi.

"It’s unbelievable. I just want to cry, I really want to cry. I just hope there weren't too many people in the van."

Carmen Davis witnessed the accident and says the driver died on impact.

"I seen his whole body.. I seen his arm just go down and he was dead."

The child was transported to an area hospital and may have immediately survived the crash, but according to reports, he too has passed away.

While police continue to investigate the cause of this devastating collision, bystanders like Santo Silva have developed their own opinions as to what caused the fatal crash.

"The semi trucks trying to get over the bridge are sometimes backed up all the way to the bridge."

Silva travels this stretch of I-75 about ten times a week. He says it becomes dangerous when drivers coming over the bridge at full speed are unaware that trucks may be sitting idle just around the bend.

"When you're coming off the freeway going 70 miles per hour, you have to be prepared to stop."

Judging by the what's left of the van, the driver may not have seen the semi until it was too late.

A fundraiser for the funeral expenses will be held on August 31, 2011 from 7-10pm at Binford Lodge 166 Visgor Road in River Rouge, MI.

The family has also set up a funeral fund at PNC bank. The account is listed as the Leslie and Amare Rockymore memorial fund.