The couple were identified in a fatal collision in Corktown

DETROIT Family and friends of Rodney and Marlene Rodriguez remember the two after they were killed in a collision with two cars on Michigan Avenue.

According to a GoFundMe page, Rodney and Marlene were married for 43 years. They were loving parents, grandparents and dedicated to the city of Detroit. Both were well known in their area and had big hearts to help others.

Rodney had just picked up his wife at a casino in the city when the accident happened on New Year’s Eve.

Larry and Tahisha Smith had just left MGM Casino when they saw the crash.

“We heard the sound, and we did not know exactly what it was when we got up there, and we saw the hood and another part of the car broke down,” Tahisha Smith said.

Police said Rodney and Marlene were in their Mercury Sable which was split in half in the collision. Officials told Local 4 an 87-year-old man was driving a Cadillac in 2017 and driving west on Michigan Avenue when he ran into Rodney and Marlene.

Now many people are trying to figure out what happened.

‘I do not know if it was the gray car that did it, or the Cadillac that did it, but whoever did it should not have done it, because look how it ended, I mean three lives are over, for what? ‘ Smith said. “It was something I never wanted to see again. My heart goes out to the family because it’s a hard way to lose someone. ‘

Police said the 87-year-old driver was also killed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses. You can donate here.