Fund started for Jason Wigen family of LaCrosse

An account to help the family of Jason Wigen pay mounting medical expenses has been opened at Columbia Bank in Pullman, and residents around the area will be able to donate to the fund at Columbia Bank branches. Colfax, Ritzville and Clarkston branches will be advised of the account, and donations can be made at other Columbia branches which will be able to contact the Pullman branch to relay the donated sums, according to Douglas Cox, a commercial banking officer in Pullman.

Wigen, 18, LaCrosse, who was critically injured in a collision near Dusty Nov. 22, is now at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Wigen, who graduated as valedictorian from LaCrosse High school last June, was flown to Harborview from Providence Sacred Heart in Spokane after doctors there determined he could best be treated at the Seattle hospital. Wigen was flown by MedStar helicopter from the scene of the accident near Dusty to Sacred Heart.

His parents, Dean and Donna Wigen of LaCrosse, have been with him at the hospital in Seattle since he arrived there.

The collision took the life of Morgan Cope, 22, a WSU student from Buckley. The Washington State Patrol's report on the fatal accident said Wigen crossed the centerline of Highway 26 and collided with the 2001 Camry which was driven by Cope, one of two WSU students who died in accidents as they headed home for the Thanksgiving break from Pullman.

Dec. 2 Sgt. Courtenay Shawley, head of the WSP detachment at Colfax, issued a report that said after extended investigation they have determined there was no criminal element involved on Wigen's part when he crossed into the oncoming lane.

LaCrosse Schools have also started a "Hats for Jason" fund drive.

The hats campaign, which has benefited other families in the past, allows students to wear hats to school if they donate a dollar to the benefit fund on Fridays.