WEST SALEM, Ohio — Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on April 12, 2022.
As Northeast Ohio mourns the death of 35-year-old firefighter Philip M. Wigal, a lieutenant with the Town & Country Fire District, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise money in his honor.
You can make a donation HERE.
“With the recent line of duty death of Lt Wigal, there has been a calling from the community requesting somewhere to make donations that will be given directly to his wife and daughters,” according to the GoFundMe page. “At the family's behest, we as a district have created this fund for just that purpose. His impact on all he came into contact with has been felt across this community as well as the nation. The support his friends, family, and fellow firefighters have received is difficult to put into words. Thank you to each and every one of you that have reached out in this hour of tragedy.”
Their goal of raising at least $10,000 was surpassed in less than one day with more than $17,000 donated as of 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Lt. Wigal died after he was struck while working at the scene of a crash along I-71 in Wayne County on Monday afternoon.
"Phil was a devoted family man to his wife Lindsay and two daughters," said Town & Country Fire District Chief Adam Hory. "He came from a tight-knit family."
Lt. Wigal began his career with the department in August of 2005 as a part-time firefighter. He was then promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2011. He was then hired to work full-time in May of 2014.
Authorities say the situation started around 3:14 p.m. Monday as authorities responded to I-71 South near Route 301 for a minor-injury crash. At 3:59 p.m. as first responders were completing documentation at the scene, a southbound commercial vehicle struck the left rear of the fire engine.
RELATED: OSHP: Firefighter killed, trooper injured after being struck at I-71 and Route 301 in Wayne County
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on April 11, 2022.
"The commercial vehicle then struck the patrol cruiser and the vehicle that was involved in the original crash," according to the Ashland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
That's when Lt. Wigal and a trooper -- identified as 37-year-old Steven Hill -- were both struck. Lt. Wigal died at the scene. Trooper Hill was transported from the scene with non-life threatening injuries.