Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeSaturday, Oct. 31, 2009
Dog park society president, son killed in accident
By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer
A Richland father wants the Tri-Cities community to know he appreciates the support he's received after the tragic crash Sunday that killed his wife and young son.
Matt Ulrich, 38, who's still recovering from his injuries at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, said through a family member that he wants to thank each and every person who has "shown their overwhelming kindness, love and support during this time of loss."
Ulrich's son Rafael, 2, was killed Sunday when the family's SUV crashed on Interstate 82 near Wapato. His wife, Audrey, 34, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after the wreck and died the next day of her injuries.
The couple's other son, Xavier, who is 4 months old, and Audrey's mother, Marie Martinez, also were in the car but weren't seriously hurt.
Xavier is being cared for by a family friends while his dad recovers.
Audrey was well-known for her love of animals and was president of the Tri-City Dog Park Society, which advocates for dog parks in the community. She and Matt also have owned The Barking Lot Pet Grooming in Richland for about 10 years.
"(Audrey) was involved in pet rescue. She was working against puppy mills. ... She had more energy than a nuclear reactor," said Alexandra Olson, treasurer of the dog park society.
Audrey also was a loving mother. She doted on Rafael and Xavier and would do anything for them, said friend Shilowe Ensminger of Richland.
"She was a very dedicated mom," Ensminger said. "She was the strongest person I think I've ever met."
Ensminger is a photographer and recently shot family portraits for the Ulriches. One photo shows the family in the backyard, with Audrey cradling Xavier, and Rafael and Matt smiling for the camera. Audrey's mom also is in the photo.
It was unclear Friday how long Matt will have to remain in the hospital. He'll likely have to do physical therapy as part of his recovery, family said.
The wreck happened at 3:45 p.m. Sunday as the Ulriches were traveling home from the west side. Audrey was driving the family's 2000 Ford Explorer, which lost control after drifting into the median, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Everyone in the family was buckled up or in the proper car seat.
Friends said Audrey and Rafael have left a void that can't be filled but that they'll continue advocating for animals in memory of the mother and son.
"(Audrey) just was so loving. You always know that when you love, you produce more love for people and things. She had an endless love. She and Matt were true soul mates. They loved their children and their animals," said Olson from the dog park society.
Plans for a public memorial service are in the works. The service likely will be held at the end of November in the Tri-Cities.
A fund to help the Ulrich family with expenses has been set up at Bank of the West. People can make donations at any branch.
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