DETROIT – A 21-year-old Michigan man has been killed in a car crash just one day after getting married.
Jordan Costa died Sunday in a crash on Interstate 77 in Jefferson Township, Ohio. He and his new bride, 21-year-old Heather Favazza-Costa, were on their way south to Myrtle Beach for their honeymoon.
Heather Favazza-Costa survived with just a few cuts and bruises. She has returned home, stunned by the turn of events in her life.
"It's definitely the hardest part to know that the happiest day of my life was followed by the saddest day of my life," Favazza-Costa said.
The couple was from Wayne.
They were married Saturday and were both youth program leaders at Connection Church in Canton. The wife of Costa says she is living a nightmare.
--Pictures courtesy Costa family
The Ohio Highway Patrol are still investigating what caused the 2002 Ford Escape that Costa and his wife were in to hit a median, embankment and roll several times.
Their car was the only one involved in the crash.
Heather Favazza-Costa is calling on her faith to carry her through the devastating loss.
"It's very hard to understand why God would take him from me and leave me here. I really truly do believe that God is going to use this for his good," Favazza-Costa said.
Connection Church pastor Rocky Barra officiated at the couple's wedding on Saturday.
"It couldn't have been a nicer setting Saturday when they were united at husband and wife. I mean no one saw this coming," Barra Said
In a letter to the church community, Pastor Rocky Barra s called Costa a handsome groom.
Statement from Connection Church pastor:
Dear Family -
This is very difficult for me to share with you. On Saturday, I was so very honored to officiate the wedding ceremony of Jordan Costa and Heather Favazza. Heather has, literally, grown up in our church. Nancy and I dedicated her as a baby, watched her grow through her teenage years, and become the beautiful bride she was on Saturday.
Jordan Costa has been a huge part of our youth ministry. He was a youth leader, and was the facilitator of our college & career ministry. He was definitely a handsome groom, with his family in attendance from his home out east.
I was called out of our first service on Sunday to find out that Heather and Jordan were in a terrible car crash while they were driving south for their honeymoon. Toward the end of the second service, I received the horrible news that Jordan had died. They had been married for less that 24 hours. Thankfully, and miraculously, Heather had no broken bones.
Our heart is broken for Heather, and the entire Favazza family. Sue, Heather's mother, is our young life director, and George is a huge part of our worship team.
I'm sharing this so you can pray for Heather and the Favazzas that somehow our Lord will surround them with His presence and comfort. Please hold them up to the Lord in this very difficult time in their lives.
Also, we are opening the chapel all day long from 9:00 am - 11:00 pm for anyone who would like to come and pray for Heather, the Favazza family and the Costa family. Please remember our young people, as well as Zac Weaks and the youth leadership team.
We don't understand......but we know that God is faithful, so our trust is in Him.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
In Christ,
Pastor Rocky