LaCrosse resident injured, one dead in collision near Colfax

Recent LaCrosse High School graduate and current Washington State FFA State Officer Jason Wigen was injured in a collision on westbound State Route 26.

The collision claimed the life of 20-year-old Buckley, Washington, driver Morgan Cope, the Washington State Patrol said.

The collision occurred at 1:47 p.m. on Nov. 22, 16 miles west of Colfax.

The highway was closed for over six hours while the vehicles were cleared.

Wigen, 18, was traveling eastbound when his vehicle crossed over the centerline, striking Cope’s vehicle in the westbound lane.

Both drivers were wearing restraints at the time of collision, according to the WSP report.

WSP said Cope was deceased at the scene. Wigen was injured and transported via MedStar to Sacred Heart Medical Center.