Texas Newlyweds Killed on Way Home Leaving Their Kids Orphaned – Their 'Beginning' Turned Into Tragedy

A newlywed couple was on their way home after attending a gathering with friends when a heartbreaking event turned their lives topsy-turvy. Unfortunately, they never made it to their recently built home they had just moved into a month ago, leaving their children orphaned and their loved ones forever crippled by the loss.

In the wake of a tragic wrong-way crash on Chisholm Trail Parkway shortly after midnight on Sunday, December 3, a Crowley couple met a devastating end, leaving family members and the U.S. Marine Corps community in mourning across the country.

The chain of events unfolded when Fort Worth police responded to a major accident call at 12:45 a.m. in the 1800 block of the highway near Altamesa Boulevard and Harris Parkway. According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office, the victims were identified as 35-year-old Kristen Huddleston and 42-year-old Jared Huddleston.

The accident involved a collision between a vehicle traveling in the wrong lanes and an SUV. Tragically, both occupants of the SUV were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the suspected wrong-way vehicle, identified as 27-year-old Andrew Adamson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital.

Rafael experienced many firsts with his adult daughter, from Kristen's first time living close to him in Texas to their first Cowboys game.

Andrew is currently in police custody, and detectives are in the process of filing the case with the Tarrant County District Attorney's office, as reported by the Fort Worth Police Department. A subsequent follow-up investigation by the police department's Traffic Investigations Unit is scheduled, with no further information currently available.

On Sunday, Rafael Ortiz received the devastating call that no parent should ever endure. The heartbreaking news conveyed the unthinkable — his daughter, Kristen, and her husband, Jared, had met a tragic end in a wrong-way crash on Chisholm Trail Parkway shortly after midnight.

The couple, both former Marines, had recently relocated to Texas to build a life together and be closer to Rafael. According to a Facebook post from Kristen, she and her spouse had just bought a house in November and were excited about the new chapter in their lives.

"We are homeowners. It has been a journey for us to get here and we are thankful to have made it [to] this point. To those who have been by our side through the tears and sweat, thank you. To my husband, this is only the beginning," wrote the ecstatic woman, full of aspirations and plans with her beloved, unaware that their lives would be tragically taken.

Kristen, a dedicated mother of two daughters, was focused on her family and pursuing education to become a therapist, intending to assist former Marines in transitioning to civilian life.

The tragic events unfolded as the couple, joyously returning from a reunion with fellow Marines, tragically collided with a vehicle traveling in the wrong lanes on the highway.

Having just moved into their newly-built Crowley, Texas, home a month prior, the couple never reached their cherished residence that night. In his grief, Rafael spoke of Kristen's vibrant spirit and the shared happiness between the soulmates. "They were a perfect match...Their love was unmatched," said Rafael of Kristen and Jared's relationship.

The abrupt loss shattered Rafael's hope of witnessing Kristen's continued growth as a mother to her two daughters and in her aspirations. "Kristen was an insanely dedicated mom...She had so many dreams, so many aspirations," added the grief-stricken father.

Rafael experienced many firsts with his adult daughter, from Kristen's first time living close to him in Texas to their first Cowboys game. The loving dad recalled how happy his daughter was when she found the love of her life: "They were happy. That's the happiest I've seen my daughter as an adult and it was snatched away."

Rafael struggled to find the right words as he emphasized the profound impact of the unspeakable tragedy on the whole family. "It's hard. It still doesn't seem real. You should never have to bury your children," uttered the devastated parent.

The heart-shattering incident not only deprived Rafael of his daughter but also shattered the dreams of the Huddleston couple, who were building a life together. Tragically, the crash left their children orphaned. Despite the overwhelming grief, Rafael clings to the belief that "[Kristen and Jared] are still happy together. Couldn't separate them."

Stephanie Reynolds, a friend of Jared's, has created an online fundraising page to support his family in their difficult time. As of December 7, the fundraiser has amassed over $8,000, surpassing the $1,000 goal.

"It's always hard when someone is lost way too early but even harder when it is someone who was so full of life and meant so much to so many people. There are so many memories wrapped up in them for so many of us...Please send up a prayer for their family and most of all their children," wrote Reynolds.

Click here to read another story about a little brother and sister who were killed together with their "great" dad on their way to family Thanksgiving.