Lake Orion High School graduate Manrique ‘Mijo? Salinas, who won the Michigan Golden Gloves boxing championship after just four months he first entered the ring, was killed in a three-vehicle crash in West Bloomfield on April 4.
West Bloomfield Township Police identified Salinas, 19, as the driver of the truck headed south on Middlebelt Road, near Walnut Lake Road, which crossed the centerline at about 7:15 a.m., and struck a chartered school bus headed to the International Academy in Bloomfield Township.
Police said Salinas, who was wearing his seatbelt, was traveling with two other employees, who were not wearing seatbelts, from Lonnie’s Tree Service in Lake Orion.
One passenger was listed in critical condition, while the other was in serious condition. Salinas was pronounced dead at the scene.
A third vehicle rear-ended the bus after the crash, but that driver was uninjured.
None of the children on the bus were seriously injured, but the driver did have a broken ankle.
Police said the accident is still under investigation, and they were not yet sure what caused Salinas to cross the centerline.
Salinas worked in sales for Lonnie’s Tree Service, a job he reportedly loved.
He graduated from LOHS in 2004, where he played football, basketball, baseball and hockey.
Salinas was a football standout during his time at LOHS, and though his future in athletics was bright, LOHS Principal Todd Dunckley said Salinas had plenty going for him in the other arenas of life.
‘I think he was a young man of great charm, who had a great future ahead of him,? he said. ‘He always put a smile on your face.?
Salinas also held a black belt in karate, and was the 2004 Golden Gloves Champion, going on to win the USA Boxing State Title.
When he sat down to talk to The Review in May of 2004 about that accomplishment, Salinas said he wanted to become a professional boxer one day.
As of late, Salinas had taken time off from boxing to focus on his education.
He was taking classes at Oakland Community College and pursuing a degree in business, but planned to return to the boxing ring soon.
A representative from Lonnie’s Tree Service had no comment on the details of the accident, but said they ‘had lost a good employee, and a great friend.?
Manrique ‘Mijo? Salinas, formerly of Southwest Detroit, was the cherished son of Manrique and Maria, and dearest brother of Marina.
He was the grandson of Manrique and Magdalena Salinas, and Maria and the late Francisco Espinosa.
He is also survived by his girlfriend, Jessyca Singleton, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and faithful companions Kitty, ChaCha and Mono.
Mijo was a dear friend, leader and mentor to all who knew him.
He was an avid hunter, and enjoyed his quadrunner.
He had the biggest heart, and cherished all that life had to offer.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Modetz Funeral Home in Lake Orion.
A funeral mass was held on April 8, at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Lake Orion.
Suggested memorials to C.H.A.S.S., c/o Ricardo Guzman, 5635 W. Fort, Detroit, MI 48209, for future scholarship funds in Mijo’s memory.
There is an online guestbook for Modetz Funeral Home available at www.modetzfuneralhomes.com