Michael Rogan: Man Driving Pregnant Wife To Hospital Dies After Deer Crashes Into Car, Baby Delivered A Few Hours Later
Michael Rogan, a devoted father who was driving his wife to the hospital for the birth of their eighth child, was tragically killed in a freak accident. According to USA Today, Michael was killed when a deer crashed into his car, as he drove his pregnant wife who was entering labor. The accident happened on Highway 97 in the town of Cleveland in Wisconsin, which falls under the jurisdiction of Marathon County.
Initial reports say that the deer was hit by another vehicle and it flew into the van which Rogan was driving. Rogan was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital. However, doctors were not able to save his life, an official from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department said. Rogan’s entire family including his wife and seven children were in the van when the accident happened, confirmed Dominic and Cecilia Gruetzmacher, a family friend. They were, however, not injured in the crash. A few hours after the accident, Rogan’s wife gave birth to his eighth child, a baby boy named Blaise, KARE 11 News reported.
Rogan was the father of seven children and was on the verge of becoming the father of his eighth child when he was tragically killed in the accident. According to residents of the Stratford area in Wisconsin where Michael Rogan lived, he was a family man who was devoted to his wife and children. He was also a community man and rendered his services to the church and the community in general. Known for his activities at the church where he was a member for the last 15 years, Rogan sang in the choir and cooked for the week-long student camps held by the church in summer.
Rev. Aaron Huberfeld of St. Mary’s Oratory in Wasau said he was shocked at the tragic death of Rogan.
“It’s hard to think of a time when his kids weren’t around him. His kids looked up to him in every way. He was their hero.”
Following Michael Rogan’s death the Gruetzmachers set up a GoFundMe account seeking donations for the Rogan family. They have since then far exceeded their goal and as of now, have managed to collect over $264,000!
Speaking to reporters, Cecilia told that the money raised would be used for the education of Rogan’s eight children who are currently being homeschooled. She added that enough money has been raised to cover Rogan’s funeral expenses.
Before the accident, Rogan, who was also a former Marine, had told one of his church members how excited he was about having another baby.
Dominic Gruetzmacher also added a few words about Rogan.
“He was very proud to have served his country. I always looked at him as serving his family the same way — that fidelity, that dedication.”
Michael Rogan’s funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Oratory, Wausau.
[Image via GoFundMe]
