WEST SALEM, Ohio — 35-year-old Philip M. Wigal, a lieutenant with the Town & Country Fire District, is being remembered throughout Northeast Ohio after he was struck and killed Monday afternoon while working at the scene of a crash along I-71 in Wayne County.
A sign featuring two pictures of Lt. Wigal was put on display in West Salem early Tuesday morning.
"In loving memory," the sign said in tribute of Wigal. "In our hearts forever!"
During a briefing held by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Town & Country Fire District on Tuesday, Wigal was remembered for both his service and his commitment to his family.
"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.
RELATED: OSHP: Firefighter killed, trooper injured after being struck at I-71 and Route 301 in Wayne County
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.
You can watch Tuesday's press conference below:
"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.
"Lt. Wigal 100% did his job," said OSHP Sgt. Ray Santiago. "The position of that fire truck was there to keep that scene safe and those roadway workers and first responders as safe as they can be. Had he not put that piece of equipment where it was at, we may be speaking of a totally different circumstance with a lot more fatalities.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Lt. Wigal.
"Please keep his family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time," the Town & Country Fire District shared on Facebook after Wigal's death.
The 41-year-old Florida driver of the commercial vehicle was also taken to an area hospital for minor injuries. Authorities say he has been cooperating with the investigation into the incident. The findings of the investigation will then be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
In the meantime, the community of West Salem continues to mourn the loss of Lt. Wigal.
“It’s a very close knit community," explains Rebecca Ray, the pastor's wife at Souls Harbor Apostolic Church in West Salem. "Everybody knows everybody, and if you don’t, you feel like you do. Nobody is without hurt here in this community right now.
Ray met Wigal during a fire inspection of the church. She calls the community of just over 1,500 people 'the epitome of the heart of America.' Now, that heart is breaking over the death of a firefighter.
"This is a huge loss for our fire department, the community, and most importantly, his family," adds Chief Hory.
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