Jaroslaw “Jerry” Ambrozuk, also known as Jarek, was born in Poland and moved with his family to Vancouver, Canada, when he was about ten years old. Growing up in Vancouver, he went to school like any other teenager, but during his high school years, he met a girl named Dianne Babcock. The two fell deeply in love, and their relationship became the center of their lives. They dreamed of escaping together, and in 1982, when they were still very young, they made a plan to leave everything behind. Their idea was risky and unusual, they would take a small rented airplane and crash it into a remote lake in Montana. They believed this would allow them to disappear and start new lives together, free from the pressures of their families.
In August 1982, the couple rented a Cessna 150 airplane from Vancouver and flew across the border into Montana. Their plan went horribly wrong when the plane flipped and crashed into Little Bitterroot Lake. The crash was violent, and the plane sank quickly. Jerry managed to escape the sinking aircraft, but Dianne did not survive. When the plane was later pulled from the water, investigators noted that her seatbelt was not stuck, and she did not have serious injuries, which left many questions about why she could not get out. This tragedy immediately drew the attention of law enforcement in Montana, but before they could question Jerry fully, he disappeared.
After fleeing the crash site, Jerry escaped the United States and created a new identity for himself. He moved to Texas and lived under the name “Michael Smith” for nearly 24 years. During this time, he built a successful life, working in the field of computers and technology. He stayed out of trouble and avoided the authorities, carefully hiding his past. For decades, Dianne’s family and law enforcement did not know where he was, and his story became one of mystery and heartbreak.
In 2006, Jerry’s past finally caught up with him when authorities tracked him down in Plano, Texas. He was arrested and brought back to Montana to face justice. At first, he faced a charge of negligent homicide, but in court he agreed to plead guilty to two lesser charges—criminal endangerment and criminal mischief. In 2007, he was sentenced to two ten-year suspended prison terms, meaning he did not serve time in jail. However, he was ordered to pay for the damages he caused, including nearly $19,500 for the airplane, $10,000 in court costs, and $5,000 for Dianne’s funeral. After his sentencing, he was deported to Canada.
In later interviews, Jerry reflected on the tragic events of 1982. He explained that when the plane hit the water, the force was so strong it felt like crashing into concrete, and the aircraft sank quickly. He claimed he was in shock and unable to think clearly, which made it impossible for him to save Dianne. His words, however, did little to ease the pain of her family, who had lost a daughter and continued to struggle with unanswered questions.
Today, Jerry Ambrozuk remains a controversial figure. To some, his story is one of youthful mistakes that led to decades of running from the law. To others, it is a heartbreaking tale of recklessness that cost a young woman her life. He later wrote about his life and the tragedy in a book titled A Tear in My Life, sharing his version of events and the lasting impact they had on him.
As of 2025, Jerry Ambrozuk’s estimated net worth is around $500,000, based on reports from his 2006 arrest in Plano, Texas, where his assets included property and a Dodge Viper valued at $71,000.