Community joins to help son of woman killed in accident

Vonda Wieczorek, 57, of Van Buren Township, died Oct. 13 after being struck at about 12:48 p.m. by a box truck along the I-94 North Service Drive, between Morton Taylor and Belleville roads.
She was walking with her 25-year-old son Jack Anthony Wieczorek, called “J.J.,” as she often did. People in the community said they saw her and J.J. walking together over the years, for they had no car.
Motorists said they remember always seeing her on the side of the traffic with J.J. inside, protecting him. And, they always walked on the shoulder, never the roadway.
When word of her death was passed around in the Belleville community, there was shock and sadness. People had seen the two walking together for many years and felt they knew them.
Kathleen Springer of VBT immediately set up a crowdfunding account for J.J. on Facebook and money started pouring in. As of Wednesday morning, the amount was $7,968 of a $4,000 goal.
There are many comments on the internet, with one saying the person had seen the two walking together many times and she wished she had reached out to them sooner. Some benefit events for the family are in the planning stages. Donations are also being taken at David C. Brown Funeral Home, where funeral services were held on Tuesday.
J.J., a 2008 graduate of Belleville High School who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, is taking a computer class at Wayne County Community College on Haggerty Road and Vonda walked with him to campus from their Archwood apartment. She sat outside the classroom waiting for him and then they walked home.
He is a high-functioning person and very smart. A trust has been set up for him.
A channel 2 TV report on the accident showed the truck and it belonged to Dudek Heating and Cooling of Sumpter Township. The 48-year-old driver immediately stopped after the accident, called for an ambulance, and is cooperating with police.
A channel 7 TV report on the fund raising featured Springer and Jack W. Wieczorek, Vonda’s husband of 29 years, who said he was overwhelmed at the community support for his family.
Springer told the TV reporter that hearing of the accident was heart-breaking to her because she had seen the two together many times.
Jack said his wife was very protective of their son.
At the funeral home on Sunday a former neighbor said Jack was a very friendly person and a “Jack of all trades” and helped people with their auto repairs and decks.
She said she first met Vonda and JJ when they were sitting together reading on the porch at the Belleville library. She said she first walked by and then was struck by the welcoming atmosphere around them. She went back and they started talking, forming a friendship of many years.
Jack said he used to be a truck driver and never was much of a walker. He said Vonda loved to walk and walk she did.
They have lived in several apartment complexes over the years, including Parkwood, Belle Villa, Lake Villa, and now Archwood, so the walking routes have varied.
JJ said the classes at WCCC are difficult, but he is able to do the work.
Van Buren Township Police continue to investigate the accident.