FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- An estimated 1,500 people gathered at a Farmington Hills chapel Friday morning to say farewell to a mother and her two children who were killed in a crash earlier this week.

Judith Weinstein, and her sons, Alex, 12, and Sam, 9, were killed Tuesday when a suspected drunken driver crashed into the rear of their Honda Accord on 12 Mile Road, just east of Orchard Lake Road, Tuesday afternoon.

Funeral services were scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Dorfman Chapel in Farmington Hills, Local 4 reported. Mourners started to gather at about 9 a.m., and the chapel -- which has a capacity of 1,000 people -- overflowed with family and friends. Portable speakers were placed outside for mourners whom the chapel could not hold to hear the services, Local 4 reported.

Among the family and friends who attended the services Friday were the children's classmates. They wrote farewell letters to the boys, and the notes were posted in a collage at the chapel, Local 4 reported. A makeshift memorial of teddy bears and stuffed animals was also created near the chapel.

Counselors were on hand this week for classmates at both schools the Weinstein boys attended in Farmington Hills. Alex attended O.E. Dunckel Middle School and Sam was a student at Hillside Elementary.

Gary Weinstein, the victims' husband and father, has turned to the support of family and friends.

The family's rabbi, Tamara Kolton, of Birmingham Temple, said the family was close and spirited. She said that all friends and family can do for Gary Weinstein is let him know "that he is not alone."

Family and friends wanted the focus of Friday's services to be on the lives of Judith, Alex and Sam Weinstein, and not their tragic death, Local 4 reported.

---

Video: Hear Farewells To Family Killed In Crash
Video: Funeral Service Held For Family In Farmington Hills
Slideshow: View Images From Farmington Hills Fatal Crash
Video: Police Chief Discusses Fatal Crash
Video: Family's Rabbi Calls Crash 'Tragedy'
Archive Video: Hear Reaction From Witnesses Of Fatal Crash
Archive Video: Sky 4 Flies Over Fatal Crash Scene

---

The man accused of causing the fatal crash, Thomas Keith Wellinger, 48, was charged with three counts of murder from his hospital bed Thursday, according to Local 4 reports. Wellinger was unable to speak because of his medical condition from injuries sustained in Tuesday's crash, so a judge entered a plea of not guilty for him, Local 4 reported.

Police said Wellinger had a blood-alcohol level of 0.43. Under Michigan law, it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 or more. Investigators have also uncovered a black box from Wellinger's sport utility vehicle, from which they learned he was driving 70 mph and did not hit the brakes before crashing into the Weinstein's vehicle.

Wellinger is being held in custody without bond. He could face life in prison if convicted of the murder charges, Local 4 reported.

Investigators continue their efforts to determine exactly what led up to the crash Tuesday afternoon.