Dearborn mourns death of local dentist, father of 5

DEARBORN (WWJ) – Friends, family and community members are mourning the death of a beloved dentist and father of five after he tragically died in a car crash in Dearborn on Monday.

Newman Family Dental Center, located at 3733 S Telegraph Road in Dearborn, confirmed the death of “dear friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Clifford” in a serious car accident while he was driving home from work on September 25 .

Clifford, a 41-year-old dentist, was driving a Dodge Challenger ScatPack when he was involved in a rear-end collision with a Tesla at Telegraph and Carlysle and suffered a medical episode, FOX 2 reported.

Clifford was rushed to a nearby hospital but died.

Details surrounding the accident are still under investigation. Unconfirmed reports say the Tesla driver suffered minor injuries. No other details were released.

Clifford is survived by his wife of over 20 years, Lindsey, and their five children.

“Chris was a man who nurtured his family with unwavering love and embraced God’s teachings with a deep faith,” said a GoFundMe page set up in his memory. “His life was a testament to the virtues of generosity, kindness and caring. His family is devastated by this tragic loss and have hope in knowing he is with his savior.”

According to Newman Family Dental Center, Clifford graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 2009 and began working for a large group practice. He joined Newman Family Dental in April of 2023.

He was a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Michigan Dental Association, where he served on the Continuing Education Committee. Clifford was also a member of the prestigious dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon.

Lindsey told FOX 2 that her husband was as much a devoted father as he was a dentist. The family had taken a summer trip to Cedar Point and he had just taken their oldest son to his first Michigan football game last Saturday.

Clifford’s bio at the dental clinic said he had received advanced training in implants and cosmetic dentistry – but his wife discovered one of his guilty pleasures.

“He ate more candy than any dentist,” she told FOX 2.

A GoFundMe campaign, as well as a Train Meal, has been set up to help ease the financial and emotional burden the Clifford family is now facing, said organizer Cathy Benoit Bindschadler.

“From funeral expenses to providing emotional support, every donation helps make this difficult journey a little more bearable,” wrote Benoit Bindschadler.

“Join us in preserving the memory of Chris, a life that touched us all. Together, we can provide the support needed to navigate the difficult road ahead. Thank you for your compassion and for helping us remember Chris. His legacy of love for both family and God continues to shine brightly in our hearts.”

For those wishing to donate to the family, visit GoFundMe. For those who want to prepare a meal, you can do so here at Meal Train