2 dead as motorcycle hit head-on by suspected drunk driver near Monroe

They were out enjoying a warm summer night with a ride on a Harley Davidson when tragedy struck.
    
A suspected drunk driver hit their motorcycle -- killing both riders David Dittmar, 53 and Casey Boudrie, 45.

Dittmar's family says after leaving his Carleton home Thursday he picked up Boudrie on his motorcycle. 

At 8 p.m. Michigan State Police say a 52-year-old Ottawa Lake woman, driving a Dodge Neon slammed into the motorcycle they were riding head-on at Dixie highway near Kelly Road.

That driver is believed to be drunk. 

"(David) doesn't even drink and for it to be a drunk driver that hits him - it just makes you furious," said Lucretia Dittmar, his mother.

Police say the crash was so bad, the Harley Davison burst into flames killing Dittmar and Boudrie. The driver of the Neon was taken to the hospital, expected to be okay.

"It's always the innocent person that gets hurt when someone is drinking and driving," Lucretia said. "It makes me sick to my stomach that people still do that."

The family of Dittmar, of Carleton, can't believe he's gone, describing him as an animal lover and hard-working.

"I loved him. He was my best friend," said Christian Powers, Dittmar's nephew.

"You're in shock - and I still may be in shock," said Lucretia Dittmar, the David's mother.

They are also mourning the loss of his dear friend, Boudrie of Monroe.
 
"They dated for a little while," Lucretia said. "I loved Casey. She was a good person."

Police say both Dittmar and Boudrie had been wearing helmets. Dittmar was known to be strict, always following the rules.

"Even though he was strict," Powers said. "He loved us and that's why he was strict. He just wanted us to do good in life."

Dittmar's family also says that may have been Boudrie's first time on his motorcycle.

The mother of three worked as a hospice nurse in Toledo. Her family called her a good soul and that crash, senseless.

That driver expected to be charged in the next few weeks as police await toxicology results.
 
"I hope they rot in jail," Powers said.

Now, those who knew and loved Dittmar and Boudrie remind everyone there's no excuse for driving drunk.

"It’s a shame that people have to lose their loved ones because of someone doing that," Lucretia said.